Moses

JOHOR BAHRU, Wed: The Johor Bar Committee today held a reference in memory of Walter Danaraj Moses who was the Chairman of the Johor Bar from 1983-1986. Moses passed away on December 16 last year, 9 days after his 75th birthday.

The reference proceedings presided by Justices Datuk Syed Ahmad Helmy bin Syed Ahmad and Datuk Azahar bin Mohamed were attended by Moses’ widow, Mrs Christine Chuan Moses (picture) and about 60 members of the Bar.

The Johor Bar Committee and the Malaysian Bar were represented by S. Balarajah and Roger Tan respectively. Tuan Mohd Nordin Bin Ismail appeared for the Attorney General and the Johor State Legal Adviser.

Balarajah started his speech by thanking their Lordships on behalf of 1,246 members of the Johor Bar for convening the reference at a short notice to accommodate Christine who is in Malaysia for a short stay.

Balarajah said Moses was born in Ipoh on December 7, 1931 and after completing his education in Penang where he was brought up he joined the TTC (Teachers Training College) and thereafter taught in several schools in Singapore. Balarajah added that Moses was Dean of Discipline in a Chinese School in Singapore.

After a decade in education, Balarajah said Moses had himself enrolled to read law at The Middle Temple London and was called to the Bar of Malaysia in 1965. In the same year, Moses married Christine. They have an only child Vida who is a medical doctor in Sydney Australia.

Balarajah went on to say that whilst at the Bar from 1965 till he retired from the Bar in 1987, Moses was an active member of the Bar. He was not a mere journeyman at the Bar but took part and contributed to the Bar.

Moses served for a number of years in the Johor Bar Committee under the late Dollah Rahman and then Upali Masacorale and Arthur Lee. He became Chairman of the Johor Bar from 1983-1986.

“As an aside my Lords after being Chairman of Johor Bar in 1982 Upali went off to settle in Wales, Arthur Lee went to live in Melbourne, and Moses went to Sydney!,” Balarajah quipped.

Whilst at the Bar, Balarajah said Moses was a friendly helpful lawyer, and was a good simple and a warm hearted person and was well liked by all.

“He was gregarious by nature and always enjoyed stimulating conversations and discussions. People found him helpful and ever ready to discuss personal or professional problems. And he gave matured valuable advice to all who sought it. Wherever Moses was there was fun laughter jokes and noise. You would hear him and his infectious laughter before you see him. Once you hear his voice you know you will have a fun-filled evening. He was the life of a party.

Moses never failed to visit members of the Johor Bar whenever he returned for holidays from Sydney.

Moses’ love for food knew no bounds. He knew where the best beriyani could be found and at what time the first batch of beriyani will be dished out by the restaurant. He patronised all the fish head curry joints in Singapore and Malaysia and the parties he had in his house were an orgy of food,” said Balarajah.

Balarajah revealed that whilst enjoying retirement and the 4 grandchildren in the quiet suburbs as a Sydney-sider in 1999, Moses was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He battled Alzheimer’s but passed away on the December 16, 2006.

For all of those who knew Moses, Balarajah said this is what he would say to them all:

Don’t grieve for me for now I am free

I am following paths God made for me

I took his hand I heard him call

Then turned and bid farewell to all

I could not stay another day

To laugh, to love, to sing, to play

Tasks left undone must stay that way

I found my peace at close of day

And if my parting left a void

Then fill it with remembered joy

A friendship shared a laugh a kiss

Ah yes these things I too will miss

Be not burdened deep with sorrow

I wish you sunshine of tomorrow

My life has been full I’ve savoured much

Good friends good times

My family’s touch

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief

Don’t lengthen it with undue grief

Lift up your heart and share it with me

God wants me now He sets me free.

Balarajah then prayed that the record of this proceedings be filed in the archives of the court and a copy thereof be sent to Christine Moses and daughter Vida.

In his short speech, Tuan Mohd Nordin also extended his condolences to Christine and family.

Representing the Malaysian Bar, Tan conveyed the Bar’s condolences to Christine and family.

Tan said even though he did not have the fortune of knowing the late Moses personally but from what he gathered, Moses was well liked by members of the Johor Bar who had worked with TS Chong and then with Dr Wong Kim Fatt and finally had a partnership with Sagadeva.

Tan went on to say that the Bar honours members who have contributed to the Bar generally.

“As Francis Bacon said :

“I hold every man a debtor to his profession; from the which as men of course do seek to receive countenance and profit, so ought they of duty to endeavour themselves by way of amends to be a help and ornament thereunto.” Francis Bacon (1561-1626), Maxims of the Law Moses lived up to this maxim as he contributed much to the Bar”, said Tan.

Tan also said it is the Malaysian Bar’s fervent hope that new members of the Bar would follow Moses’ example and contribute to the betterment of the Bar and leave their mark by way of contribution to its well being.

He also supported the move that a record of the proceedings be deposited in the archives of the Court and a copy thereof be given to Christine and family.

In his speech, Justice Datuk Syed Ahmad Helmy described the late Moses as a “gentle giant”, always humble and courteous.

He also conveyed the Bench’s condolences to Christine and family, and then ordered that a record of today’s proceedings be deposited in the archives of the Court and a copy be extended to Christine family.

Thereafter, the Justices, Christine and members of the Bar attended a light refreshment in the newly-furnished conference room.

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