Bar Warns Minister S New Powers Could Politicise Lpqb

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It says letting the law minister appoint most of the Legal Profession Qualifying Board's members could undermine professional independence.
Since 1976, the LPQB has been chaired by the attorney-general and included two judges named by the chief justice, the Bar president and a senior law academic.PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Bar has warned that proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Act, which affect the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB), could politicise the body responsible for admitting new lawyers
Bar vice-president Anand Raj said the changes, which include allowing the law minister to appoint the majority of LPQB’s members, gravely compromised professional independence by creating a board that would be heavily shaped by the executive.
He said in a statement that this move would reduce the Malaysian Bar and the judiciary to a minority of three out of the 13 board positions.
Anand said the board should instead be led and chaired by the Bar, with balanced representation from judges, academics, and the legal profession, free from political or executive interference.
“If the leadership of the LPQB is entrusted to the Malaysian Bar, as it should have been all along, we pledge to reduce operational expenditure and fees chargeable to law students while ensuring governance that is transparent, professional, and accountable,” he said.
Tabled on Nov 17, the bill proposes expanding the LPQB from five to 13 members and giving the minister power to appoint eight members and remove seven without explanation. It also gives the minister authority to set the pay and benefits of board members.
Since 1976, the LPQB has been chaired by the attorney-general and included two judges named by the chief justice, the Bar president and a senior law academic.
Anand also noted that the Bar had formally submitted detailed feedback to the government as early as May 2025 and again in early November, but its concerns appeared to have been disregarded.
“The Malaysian Bar is disappointed with the government’s proposals and with the limited number of consultation sessions held by the government,” it said.
Anand and the Malaysian Bar urged the government, particularly law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said and her deputy M Kulasegaran, to exercise responsible leadership and heed the warnings.
“While the Malaysian Bar is in favour of positive reforms to enhance the LPQB, we strongly oppose the political and executive encroachment proposed under the bill and the looming increase in costs that the bill portends.” - FMT

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