The Malaysian Bar - NYLC Jelajah: Terengganu (18 Dec 2011)

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NYLC Jelajah: Terengganu (18 Dec 2011)

Tuesday, 17 January 2012 10:35am

Contributed by Aston Philip Paiva, Member, Bar Council National Young Lawyers Committee

NYLC’s Projek Jelajah goes to Terengganu!

The fifth leg of the Bar Council National Young Lawyers Committee (“NYLC”)’s Projek Jelajah saw NYLC visiting Terengganu on 18 Dec 2011 (Sunday). Representing NYLC were none other than Richard Wee Thiam Seng and Vince Chong, Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of NYLC, respectively. They were accompanied by Aston Philip Paiva and Johana Rosli, members of NYLC. NYLC’s Projek Jelajah this time around was made extra special as Lim Chee Wee, President of the Malaysian Bar, had kindly taken time out of his Sunday to join NYLC in Terengganu.

Lim Chee Wee (President of the Malaysian Bar) addressing the young lawyers

The event, which was held at Hotel Tanjong Vista, Kuala Terengganu, kicked off with an introductory session by Lim Chee Wee. Addressing a hall of approximately 30 young lawyers from the Terengganu State Bar, he spoke on the issues Bar Council had been engaged with in previous months: the push and protest against the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011, the call for disciplinary bulwarks in respect of liberalisation of legal services, the heightened speed in the processing of Members’ Sijil Annual and Practising Certificates, the numerous parleys with the Attorney General on law reform, and the didactic meetings with top and key officials of the Judiciary on the state of legal practice and the Judiciary.

Richard Wee then rose to give his speech. True to form, he discussed the Malacca Statement, which had been drafted and mandated at the 4th Young Lawyers Convention 2011, an event that had taken place in Malacca in July 2011. He also elaborated on the oncoming liberalisation of the legal profession and the effect it would have on young lawyers. He then described the working conditions of young lawyers, highlighting the current state of affairs and why the NYLC’s National Working Conditions Survey is necessary.

Richard Wee then invited Aston Philip Paiva, member of NYLC, to give a short talk on legal aid, the universality of human rights and the duty of Members of the Bar to uphold the cause of justice without fear or favour.

Vince Chong then took to the stage and expounded on the topic of working conditions amongst young lawyers in the Klang Valley and the northern states. He drew a comparison between the remuneration packages and working conditions of professionals in other sectors who have the same amount of experience as young lawyers, and concluded that the legal profession falls short in this regard. He explained that at the 4th Young Lawyers Convention 2011, NYLC had been mandated to conduct the National Working Conditions Survey. He pointed out that the survey is a first step towards creating a more accountable and respectful work culture, thus enabling young lawyers to work diligently and professionally in the environment they have been trained for, and to receive commensurate wages and benefits.

Members of the audience listening attentively

The floor was then opened to questions. A young lawyer enquired how the President of the Malaysian Bar could issue a press statement in support of Seksualiti Merdeka. Lim Chee Wee gave a firm reply, explaining that Seksualiti Merdeka does not promote “free sex”. Rather, it is an event organised to deal with human rights violations and abuses – by both State and non-State actors – that are faced by those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (“LGBT”) community. He asserted that making a public statement on these issues is congruent with the objectives of the Malaysian Bar.

After lunch, NYLC representatives were further privileged to receive the warm hospitality of the members of the Terengganu State Bar. They were given a tour of Kuala Terengganu town, during which they sampled some of the many local delicacies.

Overall, it was a spectacular trip!