After reading what has been written by Mohammed Idris and Zain Bahari on the dishonest lawyers that pervade the legal profession, I am tempted to wonder if this is a profession of learned people at all.

It is not a few bad apples that bring a bad reputation to the profession. If one looks, there are far too many bad lawyers than those serving with dignity and decorum. It is sad but most unfortunately, it is true.

The Bar Council is of no good to anybody, be it good lawyers, the public or victimised clients. The Bar Council is made up of some these very same lawyers who are elected into office through vigorous campaigning at the clubs, bars and watering holes frequented by them.

Perhaps it is time for the legal profession be revamped altogether. It is high time the government move in on a most urgent basis. Let the Bar Council be replaced by a government body where there can be more stringent regulation of lawyers in Malaysia.

Let me also take this opportunity to suggest that the government also step in and put a stop to the outrageous fees charged by some unscrupulous lawyers. Let not the profession be established for the unfair enrichment of the lawyers themselves.

Fees must be fair as to not cause suffering and hardship to clients in their pursuit of justice. This is something that also must be ingrained into the syllabus at law colleges.