The Malaysian Bar President Karen Cheah has resigned from the Asian International Arbitration Centre (“AIAC”) Advisory Board which was issued by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said where the appointment includes the President of the Malaysian Bar to the Board.
Karen said the Malaysian Bar took objection to the requirements to be undertaken as a Board member, as imposed by the Board as a condition pursuant to a letter issued by the Chairman of the AIAC Advisory Board dated 9 September 2023. In response to the requirements imposed, the President tendered her letter of resignation on 11 September 2023. The resignation takes effect immediately.
She made the resignation following the unanimous support of the Bar Council in upholding the principle of conflict of interest — which can arise in the course of carrying out the statutory duties of the Malaysian Bar — so as to safeguard the independence of the Malaysian Bar vis-à-vis section 42 of the Legal Profession Act 1976 (“LPA”), and to ensure that the interests of the Malaysian Bar must prevail, “uninfluenced by fear or favour”
Karen added the Malaysian Bar believes the rule of law mandate under the LPA supersedes all other organisational interests. Given its statutory duties to its Members and the general public, the independence of the Malaysian Bar cannot be compromised.
The Malaysian Bar asserted the potential capabilities of ADR in impacting Malaysia cannot be understated.
