The National Legal Aid Foundation's (YBGK) contributions should not be diminished by the prosecution of two of its lawyers, says Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru.

"The prosecution of these two members of the Bar should not detract from the essential role and invaluable contribution made by YBGK lawyers to the fundamental right of access to justice," he said in a statement today.

The YBGK scheme provides free legal representation to accused persons and since its inception in 2012, over 900 YBGK lawyeres have represented more than 500,000 accused persons, he pointed out.

The establishment of the foundation, he said, has provided a comprehensive and sustainable legal aid programme for those embroiled in the criminal justice system.

The two lawyers were charged under Section 18 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act in the Kota Baru Sessions Court on Oct 20, for allegedly filing fraudulent claims to YBGK Kelantan.

They have both pleaded not guilty.

Thiru said the Bar hopes the prosecution of the two lawyers only happened after a thorough investigation into the allegations against them.

"In this regard, it must be borne in mind that, as in the case of any person accused of a criminal offence, the two lawyers must be presumed innocent of the allegations made against them, and there must be no pre-judgement of the case," he said.

They must also be afforded due process and be given every opportunity to present all defences available to them in law, for a fair trial, he added.

The Bar will hold a watching brief in the matter, he said, as they take a serious view of all allegations of unlawful or inappropriate conduct by members of the Bar.

He also said the Bar continues to be deeply committed to the effectiveness, development and growth of the YBGK scheme, in upholding access to justice for Malaysians.

YBGK is a collaboration between the Bar, the Advocates' Association of Sarawak, the Sabah Law Association and the government.

Thiru said Malaysians who require legal assistance from YBGK need only to contact the nearest Bar Council Legal Aid Centres.