Gov’t backs proposal to form new lawyer body

The government is in agreement over a demand by a group of lawyers intending to form a new organisation to represent their profession, welfare and legal interests, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

He said the group could form an organisation as a new association or agency like the Legal Academy.

“If there is another association and agency formed to represent them, the Bar Council only represents those who practise law and are registered with the council only.

“But there are those who are qualified in law, such as lecturers, who need not become a member of the council. They are not practising lawyers and need not be a member of the council,” he told reporters after delivering a keynote address at a Professional Teacher Programme for Kuala Kangsar at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tun Perak in Padang Rengas today.

He was commenting on Bar Council member Abu Backer Sidek’s (left) statement that a new, independent lawyer body be formed as the existing Bar Council had failed to defend itself as a professional body with integrity.

According to Mohamed Nazri, the lawyers concerned could set up a legal academy to represent those qualified in law in the country.

He said he was not surprised that there were Bar Council members who were unhappy with the body.

Peguam-peguam perlu badan alternatif selain drp majlis peguam (Bar Cauncil)

KUALA LUMPUR 11 Mei - Sebuah badan guaman baru yang bebas daripada pengaruh politik perlu diwujudkan bagi menggantikan Majlis Peguam.

Ahli Majlis Peguam, Abu Backer Sidek berkata, langkah itu perlu memandangkan Majlis Peguam sedia ada gagal dipertahankan sebagai sebuah badan yang profesional dan berintegriti.

"Kewibawaan Majlis Peguam sebagai sebuah badan non-partisan sudah dicemari agenda-agenda politik pemimpin dan parti pembangkang.

"Saya menggesa kerajaan supaya mengkaji semula Akta Profesion Undang-Undang 1976 dalam usaha mewujudkan sebuah badan guaman yang bebas daripada campur tangan politik serta menjadi badan yang berintegriti dan dihormati," katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini hari ini.