A scheduled meeting between the Bar Council and young lawyers to hear the latter's views over proposed reforms within the legal profession has been put off indefinitely.

The meeting, which was slated for today, was called after a few demands were made by young lawyers at the second national young lawyers' convention held in Perak last month. More than 100 young lawyers attended the convention.

"The date and timing is not suitable," Bar council's young lawyers committee head Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said when contacted. He added that he was told about the postponement last week.

It is learnt that the postponement was due to a short notice to inform young lawyers from all over the country, who represent three-quarters of the 12,000-odd lawyers in the peninsula.

Nevertheless no quota is fixed for the group in order to conduct the meeting.

Malik said he was uncertain of the new date for the meeting but added that "possibly" it will be held after the Bar Council's election in March.

Six-page statement

A six-page statement was drafted after the three-day convention which among others called for the Bar Council to be censured for not doing enough to repeal Section 46A of the Legal Profession Act (LPA).

The LPA controls the activities of lawyers and regulates the Bar Council, the 36-member body which manages the affairs and executes the functions of the Malaysian Bar.

Whereas Section 46A prohibits young lawyers - referring to those under seven years of practice - to hold any position in the council. The provision has been a thorn in the side of young lawyers who have long wanted to be represented in the governing process.

The group also made other demands including calling for a formation of a shadow council of elected young lawyers, similar in composition to the Bar Council.

Young lawyers wanted a reform over the council's elections system and a revamp of the council's secretariat to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency.

The council was also urged to formulate rules to promote, protect and take steps to further the interests of pupils and set up a committee to oversee welfare of pupils.

Bar Council chairperson Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari later was quoted in the New Straits Times as saying there is no necessity for a shadow council, citing lack of interest among young lawyers in the past.

On Section 46A, he said the council has been trying hard to remove the prohibition and even has challenged the provision up to the Federal Court. However, the court ruled the provision constitutional.

He added in the news report that a committee was formed six months ago and was drafting a proposal to abolish Section 46A for submission to the Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail.

Apart from barring young lawyers from running the council, Section 46A also bars lawyers who are members of Parliament, state assembly representatives and office-bearers in trade union and political parties from being elected as Bar Council members.