26^th April 2019

To:         All Advocates / Members of the Bar

NOTICE TO MEMBERS:

DRAFT LEGAL PROFESSION BILL 2019

The Kuching Branch Committee notes the deep concern of members on the circulation of the proposed draft of the Legal Profession Bill 2019, which contains provisions of on the extension of the Legal Profession Act 1976 (‘LPA’) to Sarawak and the repeal of our Advocates Ordinance (Cap 110 (1958 Ed)) (‘Ordinance’).

We are currently taking steps to verify the factual background as regards this Bill with the relevant stakeholders in order to make an informed decision on what action to take.

It is worth noting that these provisions in the Bill are not new as they are currently provided for in Sections 1, 2 and 152 of the LPA. Nevertheless, we are looking further into this matter and considering all options with the aim of ensuring the protection of rights of Sarawakian legal practitioners and the sanctity of our Ordinance.

We wish to assure members that we remain committed to the preservation and protection of the rights and safeguards accorded to legal practitioners in Sarawak as enshrined in Article 161B of the Federal Constitution.

Yours faithfully,

Desmond Sahathevan

Chairman

Advocates Association of Sarawak

Kuching Branch