Cyrus Das honoured with Malaysian Bar Lifetime Achievement Award

Veteran Malaysian lawyer and constitutional law scholar Cyrus Das has been awarded the Malaysian Bar's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional contributions to the legal profession, human rights, and the rule of law. Presented by Malaysian Bar president Anand Raj, the award recognizes Das as a distinguished legal luminary and "scholar advocate."

In his acceptance speech, Das emphasized the Bar's unwavering commitment to public office accountability, constitutional supremacy, and vigilance against threats to the country's founding principles. With over 450 reported cases spanning five decades, Das has focused on appellate work, representing various clients, including rulers, sovereign governments, and individuals.

His practice covers constitutional and administrative law, corporate and commercial law, taxation, and arbitration. Notable cases include Sagong Tasi, Semenyih Jaya, and the "Allah" issue, which upheld the Orang Asli's customary proprietary rights, affirmed judicial power and separation of powers, and challenged the government's ban on the use of "Allah" in a religious publication.

Das has also served as Bar president, president of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, and remains a mentor to aspiring lawyers.