Luqman's musings

My Struggle to File a Complaint Against a Lawyer as a B40 SARA Recipient in Sabah In Malaysia, we often hear that the legal profession is self-regulating and that disciplinary boards exist to protect the public from professional misconduct. But what happens when the very system meant to uphold standards places financial and procedural barriers that effectively silence ordinary citizens — especially those from the B40 group ?

  In my previous post, I discussed the intimidating warning that comes with an IPCC complaint: the threat of fines or jail time for providing false information under Section 34 of Act 839 . After I shared that, I asked myself: "What if I make a mistake? What if I misremember a detail? Am I going to jail for a slip of the tongue?" The short answer is no. To understand why, we have to look at the "spirit of the law" and a concept called Good Faith (or bona fide ).

After four years of attempting to resolve this matter through amicable channels, I realized that a more formal path was necessary. I finally decided to submit an official complaint to the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC). However, when their response arrived, it contained a specific warning that immediately gave me pause—a statement so stern it made me reconsider my next steps until I took a moment to truly process its intent.

  A parent’s duty vs. a regulator’s duty If I heard any rumour about my children, I would check it out with them immediately. That is basic parental responsibility.   So why should we expect less from a professional disciplinary body whose entire purpose is to protect the public and uphold standards in the legal profession? In March 2023, I sent a detailed complaint to the Sabah Advocates Disciplinary Board (SADB) regarding what I believed was clear misrepresentation by a law firm. Here is what I wrote:

                                                                                                                                  Who is this authority? The LJS “Mysterious Authority” Scandal Publication How are we to trust our present politicians and our opposition politicians if they can’t even find out from Lembaga Juruukur Sabah (LJS) who the “authority” is? Three years after I lodged my complaint about the fabricated “as-built” survey plans at Taman Puncak Vistana Heights , LJS inspected the site in June 2023. Their report remains locked away. Their repeated excuse? It is “awaiting verification from the authority.” When pressed in writing and in perso...

  Tamil comedian Vadivelu once quipped in a film that the government and the opposition shout at each other for the public’s benefit, then retreat behind closed doors to drink and party together. It was meant as satire, but looking at Sabah politics today, one wonders if this is less comedy and more reality.