1. Why should I read the Rakyat Guides (RG)? Can the booklet be my primary reference of the Federal Constitution?
The Federal Constitution is the most important document in our country because it determines what kind of country we live in. You should read the Rakyat Guides if you want to understand our Federal Constitution.
The Rakyat Guides simplify the main themes of our Federal Constitution so that any layperson is able to understand the content. It is written in a style that is non-legalistic and easy to understand.
The content of the Rakyat Guide is drafted carefully by a panel of highly qualified lawyers and academics. Although it is an accurate source of information, it is still a simplified version of the Federal Constitution. Hence, it is not meant to be used as a primary academic or legal reference.
2. Where can I get the Rakyat Guides (RG) booklet?
At the moment, the hardcopy of the RG is mainly available at the Bar Council office, No. 13, 15 & 17, Leboh Pasar Besar, 50050 Kuala Lumpur (the map is accessible here)
Limited copies are also available at these locations:
1. Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee
Tingkat 8, Wisma Kraftangan
No 9, Jalan Tun Perak, 50050 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2693 3585, Fax: 03-2691 1090
E-mail: klbc@klbar.org.my, Website: www.klbar.org.my
Tingkat 8, Wisma Kraftangan
No 9, Jalan Tun Perak, 50050 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2693 3585, Fax: 03-2691 1090
E-mail: klbc@klbar.org.my, Website: www.klbar.org.my
2. Penang Bar Committee
1st floor, No 4, Greenhall
10200 Penang
Tel: 04-2615 669, Fax: 04-2628 664
E-mail: secretariat@penangbar.org
1st floor, No 4, Greenhall
10200 Penang
Tel: 04-2615 669, Fax: 04-2628 664
E-mail: secretariat@penangbar.org
3. Selangor Bar Committee
No. 41, Jalan Bola Jaring 13/15, Seksyen 13
40100 SHAH ALAM , Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel: 03-5519 6219, Fax: 03-5519 9037
E-mail: secretariat@sgorbar.org, Website: www.selangorbar.org
No. 41, Jalan Bola Jaring 13/15, Seksyen 13
40100 SHAH ALAM , Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel: 03-5519 6219, Fax: 03-5519 9037
E-mail: secretariat@sgorbar.org, Website: www.selangorbar.org
4. Kelantan Bar Committee
Bilik Peguam, Tingkat Bawah,
Bangunan Mahkamah Tinggi, Jalan Hospital
15000 KOTA BHARU, Kelantan Darul Naim
Tel: 09-7448 660
Fax: 09-7448 660
E-mail: kelantanbar@yahoo.com
Bilik Peguam, Tingkat Bawah,
Bangunan Mahkamah Tinggi, Jalan Hospital
15000 KOTA BHARU, Kelantan Darul Naim
Tel: 09-7448 660
Fax: 09-7448 660
E-mail: kelantanbar@yahoo.com
5. Negri Sembilan Bar Committee
No 3, Jalan S2 D38, Magistrate’s Square, Seremban 2
70300 Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus
Tel: 06-6013 843/4, Fax: 06-6013 845
E-mail: nsbar@tm.net.my/ paulkrishnaraja.selladurai@yahoo.com
No 3, Jalan S2 D38, Magistrate’s Square, Seremban 2
70300 Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus
Tel: 06-6013 843/4, Fax: 06-6013 845
E-mail: nsbar@tm.net.my/ paulkrishnaraja.selladurai@yahoo.com
6. Malacca Bar Committee
9373, Taman Indah Section 1
Bukit Sebukor
75150 MELAKA
Tel: 06-2845 519/2864 514
Fax: 06-2830 755
E-mail: mccabar@gmail.com
9373, Taman Indah Section 1
Bukit Sebukor
75150 MELAKA
Tel: 06-2845 519/2864 514
Fax: 06-2830 755
E-mail: mccabar@gmail.com
7. Terengganu Bar Committee
Messrs Ahmad Shahabuddin & Co
No 304 & 305, Tingkat 3 Wisma Kokitab
Jalan Sultan Ismail
20200 KUALA TERENGGANU, Terengganu
Tel: 09-6266 492, Fax: 09-6266 495
E-mail: trgbar@yahoo.com
Messrs Ahmad Shahabuddin & Co
No 304 & 305, Tingkat 3 Wisma Kokitab
Jalan Sultan Ismail
20200 KUALA TERENGGANU, Terengganu
Tel: 09-6266 492, Fax: 09-6266 495
E-mail: trgbar@yahoo.com
8. Johore Bar Committee
Unit 7.02 & 7.03, 7th floor, Menara TJB
No. 9, Jalan Syed Mohd Mufti
80000 JOHOR BAHRU, Johor Darul Takhzim
Tel: 07-2763 888, Fax: 07-2761 188
E-mail: secretariat@johorebar.org.my
Unit 7.02 & 7.03, 7th floor, Menara TJB
No. 9, Jalan Syed Mohd Mufti
80000 JOHOR BAHRU, Johor Darul Takhzim
Tel: 07-2763 888, Fax: 07-2761 188
E-mail: secretariat@johorebar.org.my
9. Pahang Bar Committee
B-64, Tingkat 1-A, Lorong Tun Ismail 6, Peti Surat 227
25000 KUANTAN, Pahang Darul Mahmur
Tel: 09-5159 244, Fax: 09-5159 243
E-mail: pahangbc@pahangbar.org, Website: www.pahangbar.net
B-64, Tingkat 1-A, Lorong Tun Ismail 6, Peti Surat 227
25000 KUANTAN, Pahang Darul Mahmur
Tel: 09-5159 244, Fax: 09-5159 243
E-mail: pahangbc@pahangbar.org, Website: www.pahangbar.net
10. Perak Bar Committee
No. 41, Jalan Dato Maharajalela, P O Box 109
30710 IPOH, Perak Darul Ridzuan
Tel: 05-2537 590/2415 457, Fax: 05-2537 590
E-mail: perakbar@streamyx.com
No. 41, Jalan Dato Maharajalela, P O Box 109
30710 IPOH, Perak Darul Ridzuan
Tel: 05-2537 590/2415 457, Fax: 05-2537 590
E-mail: perakbar@streamyx.com
11. Kedah/Perlis Bar Committee
No 54, Jalan Utama 3/1, Kompleks Perniagaan Utama
Jalan Sultanah Sambungan, 05350 ALOR SETAR, Kedah Darul Aman
Tel: 04-7308 305/7333 467, Fax: 04-7308 305
E-mail: keper70@streamyx.com
No 54, Jalan Utama 3/1, Kompleks Perniagaan Utama
Jalan Sultanah Sambungan, 05350 ALOR SETAR, Kedah Darul Aman
Tel: 04-7308 305/7333 467, Fax: 04-7308 305
E-mail: keper70@streamyx.com
We will inform you as soon as the RG is available at other locations.
If the RG is not available at the State Bar near you, we can arrange to deliver the booklet to you. However, this arrangement only applies if you request for more than 10 copies and an invoice will be sent to you. You will be charged for postage and handling based on the table below.
| Weight | Normal Mail (RM) | Air Mail (RM) | Weight | Normal Mail (RM) | Air Mail (RM) |
| Up to 500g | 2.50 | 4 | 5 – 6kg | 7.50 – 8.50 | 24 – 25.50 |
| 300g – 1kg | 2.50 | 5 | 6 – 9kg | 8.50 – 10.50 | 25.50 – 37.50 |
| 1 – 1.5kg | 3.50 | 8 | 9 – 11kg | 10.50 – 12.50 | 37.50 – 45.50 |
| 1.5 – 2kg | 3.50 | 9.50 | 11 – 13kg | 10.50 – 14.50 | 45.50 – 53.50 |
| 2 – 2.5kg | 4.50 | 12 | 13 – 15kg | 14.50 – 16.50 | 53.50 – 61.50 |
| 3 – 3.5kg | 5.50 | 6 | 15 – 17kg | 16.50 – 18.50 | 61.50 – 69.50 |
| 4 – 5kg | 6.50 –7.50 | 20 – 24 | 17 – 20kg | 18.50 – 21.50 | 69.50 – 81.50 |
Please note that should you opt for normal mail as method for delivery of RGs, the Constitutional Law Committee (ConstiLC) holds no liability for any failure of delivery of the RGS to the recipient after it is posted.
12.Do I have to pay for the Rakyat Guides booklet?
We seek a donation of RM1 for each booklet. This donation will contribute towards the printing cost of more booklets.
13.Is there a limit on how many booklets I can have?
The campaign aims to increase the awareness of all Malaysians on the Federal Constitution. Every possible assistance from you to achieve this objective is certainly appreciated. Therefore, we do not set a limit as to how many copies each individual/organisation can have. The donation of RM1 per booklet still applies.
14.What are the methods of payment?
Cash
You can donate by cash at the payment counter situated on the Ground Floor of the Bar Council.
Cheque
You can donate by cheque at the payment counter at the Bar Council or send it to us by mail at No.13, 15 & 17, Leboh Pasar Besar, 50050 Kuala Lumpur.
All cheques must be made out to “BAR COUNCIL MYCONST CAMPAIGN” and please state on the reverse side of the cheque the purpose of donation; e.g. For the MyConstitution campaign booklet/s and your personal details; name and telephone number.
Wire transfer/direct deposit
Alternatively, you can wire transfer/direct deposit to the following bank account:
Account: BAR COUNCIL MYCONST CAMPAIGN
Account No: 301-022166-900
Bank: HSBC, No 2, Leboh Ampang, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
SWIFT Code No: HBMBMYKL
Please pay all bank charges so that the Bar Council receives the full amount of the fees. We will not cover transaction costs.
After transferring or sending your fee, please e-mail us at kaea@malaysianbar.org.my and tell us your name, institution, and the amount of money you transferred/sent.
For verification purposes, please attach a copy of the transfer slip/cheque and the registration form to the e-mail you sent.
*Please note that the bank account is subjected to change from January 2010 onwards.
Credit card
If you are a member of the Bar, you can also sent donation by credit card with the CIMB Direct Access Malaysian Bar Mastercard at the payment counter of the Bar Council.
*For delivery, kindly include postage and handling fee in the payment.
15.Is there only one Rakyat Guides (RG)?
No, there will be a total of 9 RG, each forming a series of booklets which will explore the 9 main themes of the Federal Constitution.
Each RG is aimed to be released periodically from November 2009 to February 2011.
The 9 main themes are:
RG#1: Introduction to the Federal Constitution
RG#2: Constitutional Institutions and the Separation of Powers
RG#3: Federal – State Relationship
RG#4: Parliament/Legislative: Powers and Functions
RG#5: Government/Executive: Powers & Functions
RG#6: Courts/Judiciary: Powers and Functions
RG#7: Sabah & Sarawak
RG#8: Rakyat and Fundamental Liberties`
RG#9: Democracy and Elections
16.Is the Rakyat Guides (RG) available in Chinese and Tamil languages?
At the moment, the Rakyat Guides are available in two languages; Bahasa Melayu and English.
17.What are target group readers of the Rakyat Guides (RG)?
The campaign hopes to reach out to 6 million households nationwide while placing emphasis on those between the ages of 15 to 35. This means, the RG is simple enough to for those as young as 15 to understand.
Having said this, the message of this Campaign is not exclusive to one particular target group only but every Malaysian from all age group and walks of life.
18.How can I be sure that the content of the Rakyat Guide is an accurate and reliable source of information?
The Rakyat Guide is being drafted by a panel of individuals forming the Constitutional Law Committee of the Bar Council (ConstiLC). These members consist of those who have sound understanding of the law and substantive experience in the practice of law. At the same time, the draft is subjected to careful and long consultative process with eminent academics whom possess credible authority in the teachings of Constitutional Law in our local universities.
10. What is the drafting process of the Rakyat Guides (RG)?
The step-by-step process is:
Step 1: A particular team under the ConstiLC is assigned to draft the contents of each booklet.
Step 2: Once the first draft is completed, it will be circulated to all ConstiLC members for feedback.
Step 3: After compiling all feedback and necessary amendments are made to the draft, it is then sent to Constitutional experts; e.g. academics and lawyers, for review on the accuracy of facts as well as simplification.
Step 4: The 3rd draft, incorporating any further amendments, will be circulated again to all members of the ConstiLC for final review.
Step 5: The final draft is then translated to Bahasa Melayu by a team of members who are experts in the language.
Step 6: The final drafts of both English and Bahasa Melayu are finally sent for printing.
11. How can I help the Campaign?
As an individual, you can help the campaign by reading the booklet and sharing the information you read through discussions with family members, friends and colleagues. You can also play an active part of the Campaign by joining our Campaign online social network such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to follow and share online discussions and activities of the Campaign.
For academic institutions like schools, colleges and universities, help us to spread our message by introducing the Rakyat Guides to your students. You can also request us to co-organise workshops to discuss the booklets with your students.
Similarly, government institutions, NGOs and other civil society/local community groups can help the Campaign by introducing the Rakyat Guides to your target groups and organise workshops together with us.
Basically, by talking, writing, learning and sharing the Federal Constitution is helping the Campaign.
If you wish to volunteer for the Campaign, please send us an email to perlembagaanku@gmail.com and let us know your area of expertise and the role you would like to play in the Campaign.
