MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE BENCH AND BAR GAMES 2023
The 51st Malaysia/Singapore Bench and Bar Games were organized by the Johore Bar from 31 Aug to 2 Sep 2023. The Games have been held annually since 1969 and hosted alternatively between Singapore and Malaysia. The Games were held this year after a gap of 4 years due to the Covid19 situation. This is also the first time that the Johore Bar was given the opportunity to host the Games by the Bar Council on behalf of the Malaysian Bar.
The Chief Justice of Malaysia, Y.A.A Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat had led the Malaysian contingent whilst the Honourable Chief Justice of Singapore Sundaresh Menon led the Singaporean contingent. Over the course of the three days, the Malaysian judiciary made their presence felt when the Chief Justice along with the President of the Court of Appeal Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Iskandar and judges from the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court attended almost all the games venues to cheer and support the players. Many of the judges had also taken part in several events along with members of the Bar.
More than 500 participants and supporters from Malaysia and Singapore had converged in Johor Bahru for the Games. A total of 20 games – 17 competitive and 3 non-competitive – were played at various sporting venues around Johor Bahru. Apart from competing, the Games also provided the opportunity for members of the Johore Bar to socialize and establish networking with other lawyers from various states of Malaysia and Singapore. In the end, at the sporting front, the Malaysian contingent emerged victorious with a score of 10 points to Singapore’s 6 points.
A Welcoming Reception cum Opening Ceremony was held at the Johore Civil Servants Club on 31 Aug 2013 and attended by both Chief Justices. As per tradition, the two Chief Justices sportingly launched the commencement of the Games by making the first set of throws in the curtain raiser Darts competition that took place simultaneously at the venue on behalf of their respective teams.
The Closing Ceremony and Dinner was held on 2 Sept 2023 at the Holiday Villa Hotel. The guest of honour was the Chief Justice of Malaysia YAA Tun Tengku Maimun. Ms. Karen Cheah, President of the Malaysian Bar and Ms. Lisa Sam, Vice President of the Law Society of Singapore led the legal fraternity of the two countries. The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Iskandar, High Court Judge of Singapore Justice Kwek Mean Luck, judges of the Federal Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and members of the Judicial and Legal Service also attended along with more than 400 lawyers from Malaysia and Singapore.
At the dinner, the final non-competitive match, the popular ‘Boat Race’ took place amidst much fanfare and the official results of the Games were announced very animatedly by Justice Anand Ponnudurai, himself an avid sportsman at the Bar previously, followed by presentation of the trophies. The Malaysian contingent emerged victorious and was declared as the winner taking over the title from the Singapore contingent. The President of the Malaysian Bar, Ms Karen Cheah closed the curtain of the Games by delivering an impassionate speech in welcoming back the challenge trophy to Malaysia.
To commemorate the Games, the Committee published a Souvenir Book Programme. The Souvenir Book received good support from members with contributions in the form of advertisement space being taken up. The Souvenir Book was published in hard copy and soft copy for online publication. The Committee also opened opportunity for firms to sponsor specific games and the names of the sponsoring firms were prominently published and displayed in the Games promotional materials including on the Bar’s social media. This also received good support with many Johore firms coming forward generously to take up the opportunity to support the Games.
The Committee wish to put on record its appreciation and gratitude to all members for the support, generosity and co-operation for the successful organization of the Games. Thank you to the Bar Council and the Bar Council Sports Committee for the opportunity to bring the Games to Johore Bahru and for the guidance rendered. The Committee is also very thankful to the Organising Committee members, liaison officers, volunteers and Johore Bar Secretariat staff for the time and effort put in attending to the logistics and various aspects of the organisation to ensure that the Games take place smoothly.
Much appreciation as well to the participants for embracing the spirit of comradeship, friendly competition and camaraderie within our legal fraternity in the two countries. It is hoped that the Games will further enrich the legal fraternity and brings members of the two fraternity closer.
Pictures at the Welcoming Reception
