Malaysian Bar president Abdul Fareed Abdul Gafoor urged the 21 lawyers wanted by police for breach of trust and cheating to come forward and help the authorities.
"They should come forward and assist police investigations since police have made their identity public," Fareed told Malaysiakini.
He said these suspects are now former lawyers since the disciplinary board had disbarred them after receiving complaints from their clients.
"They cannot be called lawyers anymore and the police have the right to make their identities public for the investigation purposes if they couldn't be contacted, just like any other criminal cases," he said.
Fareed said before one could be accepted as a lawyer, he or she must undergo a course which emphasises on legal ethics.
"Among the things we shared are on the role and purpose of a lawyer in handling a trust account.
"A lawyer has to have integrity and be trustful in doing their works. Lawyers cannot give in to temptation," he added.
As for the public, Fareed advised them to take time to conduct a background check on the lawyers before appointing them.
"Just like how you would check before you send your car to a mechanic or appoint a wedding planner. It's prudent to ask around... avoid going to complete strangers," he said.
Earlier today, police sought help from the public to share information in regard to the whereabouts of 21 wanted lawyers.
They purportedly were involved in 39 cases since 2012 involving RM30.4 million in losses.
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) chief Mohd Zakaria Ahmad also urged them to surrender.
Zakaria said these lawyers broke the trust of their clients when they abused funds entrusted to them for their own benefit. - Mkini
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