Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

January 29, 2019

Mere UEC and Recognised Law Degree for CLP Examination Appealed

From 2021 onwards, the basic requirement for the UEC holders to sit for the Certificate in Legal Practice (henceforth CLP) has been enacted as follows: (1) Malaysian Bar recognised Law Degree holder; and (2) two credits in STPM or A-level. In response to this newly announced measure, Dong Zong posits its stance proper herewith.

1. Dong Jiao Zong believes that the law maker concerned should rather continuously allow the UEC holders with recognised Law degree to sit for the CLP and not to include the subsidiary two-credit requirement in STPM or A level.
   
   
2. As understood, the decision not to accept the UEC as one of the basic requirements to sit for the CLP was made on 23 September 2005 by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (henceforth LPQB). But the fact is, whether it is prior to or before the decision made, having completed their Law degree programmes, many UEC holders had sat for the CLP and proceeded to get their Legal Professional Qualification Certificate. In November 2017, the LPQB practiced the new decision otherwise which culminated public backlash. The following month, the LPQB pronounced to continuously allow the UEC holders to sit for the CLP. Unpredictably, in June 2018, the requirements for Malaysian Bar recognised Law Degree and two credits in STPM or A-level were required from the UEC holders and this decision by all means generated controversy and public qualms.
   
   
3. According to media report, the Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching had already discussed the matter with the new President of the LPQB Attorney General Tommy Thomas. Simultaneously, the President of the Malaysian Bar Mr George Varughese also voiced that the LPQB would moot the matter in their March 6 Board of Directors meeting. Knowing this, Dong Jiao Zong hopes the parties concerned will come to a satisfying algorithm for the interests of the UEC holders.