In the afternoon, I attended a working lunch with the newly elected office bearers of the Malaysian Bar Council for the term 2024/2025. Among those present were Mr. Mohamad Ezri, President of the Malaysian Bar and Mr. Anand Raj, Vice-President of the Malaysian Bar. 

We discussed how the Malaysian Bar can work closer with government, in particular with the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, on a variety of issues. 

I raised in particular, establishing a Sentencing Council in Malaysia, provisioning for interim payments in personal injury matters and exploring legal liability to passengers in personal injury matters. 

Further, I also put forth urgent reform of the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) exam. The CLP was introduced in 1984 as an alternative route for admission to the Malaysian Bar for those unable to sit for the English Bar exams. I have received many complaints from law students and the public about the CLP both at present and when I was an opposition MP, in particular regarding the 4-time attempt limit and allowing detailed reviews of CLP exam papers so students know and can learn from their mistakes. There must be short-term and long-term reforms of the CLP, with the long-term goal being a Common Bar Course. We will take discussions forward in this regard with all relevant stakeholders. 

The Malaysian Bar also raised their proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Act 1976 which I will pursue to ensure are brought to cabinet for deliberation. 

I am happy to note that we had an insightful and informative discussion and I look forward to continue working closely with the Malaysian Bar on the matters above.