Minister replies to MPs who want an alternative law body

The Star

THERE cannot be two Bar Councils in the country, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of law Datuk Nancy Shukri.

“Lawyers may be able to have a separate society to defend their rights, but the fact is that there can never be another Bar Council,” she said during the second reading of the Legal Profession (Amendment) Act 2012.

She was responding to comments from MPs who had questioned the Bar Council’s impartiality and called for an alternative Bar to be created.

Earlier, Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN - Kinabatangan) claimed that the Bar Council had appeared to have “turned its back on the country and people’s aspirations”.

Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN - Lenggong) said the Bar Council often dragged the people into issues unsuitable to its role.

Datuk Seri Noh Omar (BN - Tanjung Karang) went further and questioned the integrity of some senior lawyers.

“The Bar Council practises double standards. It criticises the Govern­ment, but keeps silent when the Opposition commits wrong-doings.

“The Bar Council should remain impartial with regard to justice and the law,” he added.

On the Legal Profession (Amend­ment) Act 2012, Nancy said local legal firms would be protected in the event of the liberalisation of legal practice in Malaysia.

“We have advised GLCs and international banks based here to give priority to local law firms when they engage legal services,” she said.

She added that foreign lawyers and law firms registered to practise would be monitored by a select committee to ensure national interests are protected.

“Foreign lawyers and law firms must first receive a practising licence from the select committee.

“Each applicant will also have to present a business plan.

“They will be permitted to provide legal advice and consultation on foreign matters, and are subject to all the rules and regulations of the Bar Council and its disciplinary board,” she said.