Questions remain over the type of “legal services” that will be allowed to operate during the movement control order (MCO) following the International Trade and Industry’s announcement yesterday.
According to a circular by the Malaysian Bar, permitted legal services will not include law firms.
Dated today, the circular said this had been conveyed by de facto parliament and law minister Takiyuddin Hassan to Malaysian Bar president Salim Bashir (above).
“The president of the Malaysian Bar received a telephone call from Takiyuddin yesterday and this was followed by an official e-mail from his office requesting that law firms remain closed during the MCO period.
“The reason advanced by Takiyuddin seems to suggest that based on his conversation with (International Trade and Industry Minister) Azmin Ali, the Miti media statement lacks specifics and a clear definition of ‘legal services’,” it read.
The Bar assured its members that clearer guidelines would be available soon.
“The Bar Council was informed that the government will provide clarification and a standard operating procedure for the legal sector to members of the Bar, upon discussion with the National Security Council,” it said.
Takiyuddin’s aide later corroborated his comments to the Bar to journalists in his media WhatsApp group.
Following Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement that the MCO was extended to April 28, Miti published a list of economic sectors that will be allowed to re-open under strict health and movement control guidelines.
Firms will be able to begin applying for permission to open at 9am this Monday (April 13).
Most sectors have not been operating since March 18 when the country went under MCO.
While this has helped stop the virus from spreading, it has also taken a toll on the economy. Mkini
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