The International Bar Association (IBA) has written that Southeast Asian countries are increasingly shifting from voluntary guidelines to binding legislation to compel corporations to respect human rights and the environment. The article, published on 9 October 2025, highlights a regional move toward mandatory corporate human rights and environmental due diligence, driven by persistent abuses linked…
Malaysian government agrees in principle to reform Legal Profession Qualifying Board
The New Straits Times reports that the Malaysian government has agreed in principle to implement significant reforms to the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB), the body responsible for overseeing admission into the legal profession. According to Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), M. Kulasegaran, the Cabinet approved several key policy…
“Without fear or favour: the independence of the legal profession at risk?” by CLA President Steven Thiru
In this powerful piece, CLA President Steven Thiru warns of the growing threats to the independence of the legal profession globally. He underscores that an independent Bar is essential to upholding justice and the rule of law, serving as a safeguard against executive overreach and ensuring access to justice for all—particularly in contentious or politically…
Malaysia’s legal profession act 1976 amendment bill on track to becoming law
On 6 December 2024, the Malaysian Bar issued a press release on the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill 2024 (“Amendment Bill”). Once enacted, the amendments to the Legal Profession Act 1976 (LPA 1976) will introduce significant reforms aimed at modernising the legal profession, improving lawyer welfare, and strengthening regulatory oversight. A key amendment will allow lawyers…
The Malaysian Bar’s ongoing fight against dishonesty in the legal profession
The Malaysian Bar has issued a statement on its ongoing fight against dishonesty in the legal profession. This statement seeks to correct recent comments made by the Director of the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) of the Royal Malaysia Police, which linked a case leading to a RM4.8 million loss on a fraudulent land transaction…