Thursday February 19, 2009
UUM law grads still awaiting reply from Bar Council
IN response to my letter last year “UUM law grads left in limbo” (The Star, Sept 10), the Bar Council on Sept 11 said the law degree awarded by Universiti Utara Malaysia was being evaluated by the council for the purpose of exemption from the Certificate of Legal Practice exam, and that a decision would be given within a few months from then.
In the meantime, UUM asserted that its degree was of the same standard as that of other universities and that it was confident of obtaining the exemption.
However, it is almost six months now and no further news has come from the council.
The students were offered places in the University by the Government. Therefore, it is obvious for one to expect that the exemption would be granted as is done for law graduates from other government universities.
The course was introduced six years ago. Since then, two batches have graduated while many others are still pursuing the four-year course. Many of the graduates and students are from the lower income families from kampongs, new villages and plantations. And they would be expected to get suitable jobs to support their families, especially during these hard times.
However, for the last two years, some of these graduates had to work as tuition teachers while waiting for an answer from the Bar Council.
It is very stressful for parents and their children, especially during times of economic and employment uncertainties. The delay is becoming quite unbearable.
I realise that, recently, the council is quite busy with the many subjects of national interest. I hope this matter involving the future of hundreds of young people has not been somehow overlooked.
WKL, Penang.
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