Be reasonable in demands on lawyers during MCO, Bar tells gov't agencies
Government agencies need to be reasonable in their demands on lawyers as the latter face operating constraints during the movement control order (MCO) period to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Malaysian Bar urged.
In a media statement issued today, its president Salim Bashir (photo) said the call was made because legal work does not fall under the classification of essential services under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations (Measures Within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.
Government agencies need to be reasonable in their demands on lawyers as the latter face operating constraints during the movement control order (MCO) period to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Malaysian Bar urged.
In a media statement issued today, its president Salim Bashir (photo) said the call was made because legal work does not fall under the classification of essential services under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations (Measures Within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020.
Thus, lawyers either had to stay home or work from home.
He said lawyers were already facing numerous worries as a result of the impact of restrictions imposed by the MCO on their law firms, court cases, clients, office work and other work-related obligations.
“The Bar Council calls upon all government agencies, including Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri or Inland Revenue Board (LHDN), the Customs Department, and Land Offices, to be aware of the problems faced by lawyers during this time, and to exercise fairness in dealing with any application or request to extend time, even as lawyers attempt to fulfil their legal and administrative obligations on behalf of their firms and clients.
“The Bar Council is optimistic of a gradual return to normality and stands ready to assist members of the Bar, in relation to matters within its purview,” Salim said.
He said this was particularly so as the Bar had strongly advised lawyers against opening law firms during MCO period, to safeguard the health of not only lawyers but that of chambering pupils and staff, as well as avoid running afoul of the law through physical presence at the legal office.
On March 18, the Bar, in a press statement, had urged banks in Malaysia to avoid placing “unrealistic and unreasonable demands” on their panel lawyers during the nationwide partial shutdown, due to fears that this could negate the MCO’s objective of halting the spread of Covid-19.
A day later, the Bar also urged the judiciary to reconsider its directive on e-filing of civil cases during the MCO duration, due to members of the Bar facing difficulty in complying with deadlines in the e-filing (online teleconference) of cause papers and other documents in court.
