Nazri says Bar Council is not above the law
KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 — The Bar Council cannot escape the law and can face action if it breaks the country’s rules, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said today.
Nevertheless, he said, the government has no plans to amend the Legal Profession Act to tighten and limit the jurisdiction of the Bar Council because such a move seems unnecessary.
“The Bar Council is an entity like individuals which enables the government to take proper action if the body breaks the country’s rules or laws,” he said in reply to Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir (BN-Jerlun) in the Dewan Rakyat.
Mukhriz wanted to know whether the government would limit the Bar Council’s jurisdiction by amending the Legal Profession Act 1976 to stop it from intervening in government business.
Nazri said that under Section 42 of the Legal Profession Act 1976, among the Bar Council’s powers is to express its view on matters affecting legislation and the administration and practice of the law in Malaysia.
“The Bar Council also is to protect and assist the public in all matters involving the law besides some political matters without taking part directly in the country’s political process,” he said.
To a question by M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) whether the government would seek the Bar Council’s views before tabling any legislation, Nazri said only Parliament had the exclusive first look at any bills before their tabling.
“Therefore the government cannot give the bills to any parties including the Bar Council before their first reading. That is a breach of regulations and shows disrespect to Parliament.
“If the Bar Council wishes to raise particular matters, the body can use members of Parliament to do so. If the government is of the view that an amendment is necessary, we will do it at the committee stage,” he said. — Bernama
Nevertheless, he said, the government has no plans to amend the Legal Profession Act to tighten and limit the jurisdiction of the Bar Council because such a move seems unnecessary.
“The Bar Council is an entity like individuals which enables the government to take proper action if the body breaks the country’s rules or laws,” he said in reply to Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir (BN-Jerlun) in the Dewan Rakyat.
Mukhriz wanted to know whether the government would limit the Bar Council’s jurisdiction by amending the Legal Profession Act 1976 to stop it from intervening in government business.
Nazri said that under Section 42 of the Legal Profession Act 1976, among the Bar Council’s powers is to express its view on matters affecting legislation and the administration and practice of the law in Malaysia.
“The Bar Council also is to protect and assist the public in all matters involving the law besides some political matters without taking part directly in the country’s political process,” he said.
To a question by M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) whether the government would seek the Bar Council’s views before tabling any legislation, Nazri said only Parliament had the exclusive first look at any bills before their tabling.
“Therefore the government cannot give the bills to any parties including the Bar Council before their first reading. That is a breach of regulations and shows disrespect to Parliament.
“If the Bar Council wishes to raise particular matters, the body can use members of Parliament to do so. If the government is of the view that an amendment is necessary, we will do it at the committee stage,” he said. — Bernama
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