The Malaysian Bar today denied claims that it has been snubbing former Federal Court judge Apandi Ali following his appointment as the new attorney-general replacing Abdul Gani Patail.

Bar Council president Steven Thiru today said the Bar will continue its existing working relationship with the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the judiciary as partners in the administration of justice.

“In this regard, upon taking office for the 2015-2016 term, the office-bearers of the Malaysian Bar and a team of members of the Bar Council consisting of former presidents, met the former attorney-general (Gani) and officers of the Attorney-General’s Chambers on June 1.

“Since then, there have been other meetings with the Attorney-General’s Chambers,” he said, adding that such meetings will be held as and when there are issues concerning professional practice or the administration of justice.

Thiru also said the Bar has always maintained a professional relationship with the attorney-general and the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Apandi, in a Nov 14 interview with online portal The Malaysian Insider , had reportedly questioned whether the Bar Council was giving him the cold shoulder as none of its members had requested a meeting or even to extend a courtesy call.

Apandi also said this was despite the fact that he was the first practising lawyer to be appointed as AG, with him also being a former Bar Council member for 12 years being appointed treasurer twice during that period.