I wonder what the rationale is for the Legal Profession Qualifying Board to raise the examination fees for repeating students sitting for the CLP this year by 100 percent, from RM500 last year to RM1,000 this year.

Already, the cost of living has gone up tremendously with the petrol price increase, the electricity and water tariff hikes and the toll rate increases.

Many preparing for the CLP are still students, not yet in the legal profession and with no fixed sources of income. Plus they under great pressure to try to pass an examination which has a very low passing rate. Why burden them further?

Surely, the Legal Profession Qualifying Board is not a money-making body with an eye on profits. It should have some consideration for the many students who have to re-sit the examination not due to the lack of trying but for the fact that the passing rate is only between 10 to 15 percent each year.

I hope the board will have some sympathy for the poor students.