Miri MP vows to assist young lawyers fight for 'minimum allowance'

Miri MP Chiew Choon Man has pledged to further discussions on young lawyers’ long-standing demand for chambering pupils to be given a minimum allowance.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Chiew earlier met with representatives from the Young Lawyers Movement (YLM) who presented two proposed amendments to Section 12(3) of the Legal Profession Act 1976.

"The group had briefed us on the situation within the legal profession, on issues of minimum remuneration for pupils in chambers, in line with a resolution passed by the Malaysian Bar in 2021.

"In principle, we (MPs) are open to listening to voices from the young (lawyers) and I will play my role to facilitate further discussions with the relevant ministry on the proposed amendments," said Chiew who is also a lawyer.

Section 12(3) of the Legal Professions Act 1976 states: "No qualified person shall, without the special leave in writing of the Bar Council, hold any office or engage in any other employment of any kind, whether full-time or otherwise, during his period of pupillage, but nothing in this subsection shall preclude a pupil from receiving a minimum form of remuneration from his master.”

YLM in a statement said the first proposed amendment was to insert two additional sub-sections under Section 12 - that the minimum remuneration of a pupil shall not be less than the minimum wage, and failure to do so shall constitute misconduct.

Alternatively, the group proposed only one sub-section to be included - that the Bar Council determines pupils’ minimum remuneration by way of ruling and shall be revised annually in accordance with reasonable standards of compensation for living expenses such as rental, food and other necessary types of living expenditures.

Low allowance against human rights

"We hope that MPs will be aware of this issue and our proposals, in line with the challenging economic situation and rising cost of living.

"Remuneration of RM300 or RM500 a month is morally wrong and against basic human rights, including pupils in chambers who were not paid at all," YLM said.

In March 2022, the group failed to pass their motion raised during the Malaysian Bar's 75th annual general meeting, for the Bar to enact a ruling by Dec 31 that pupils must be paid an allowance that is at least poverty-line income.

This is between RM1,900 and RM2,500 depending on the state, or the national minimum wage, whichever is higher.

At the time, YLM member Goh Chia Yee, who was also present in Parliament today, said he had raised the same demand since 2020 and would continue to do so until a resolution is reached.

New Bar chief talks on sex harassment of lawyers, Najib's pardon

Law firm senior partner denies sexual harassment allegations

LETTER | Time for privilege check in legal profession

LETTER | Chambering pupils and salaries