‘Chinese-proficient lawyers an asset’
Continuing allowing UEC holders to sit for CLP is the right move, says society If we have lawyers who know Chinese, they can explain the investment policies better, which will be e conducive to business. Loh Chang Woo
PETALING JAYA: Having more lawyers who are proficient in the Chinese language would enhance trade with China, said Malaysia China Legal Cooperation Society president Loh Chang Woo.
Loo said continuing to allow Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) holders to sit for the Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) was the right move.
He pointed out that it would be very untimely if the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) implemented the 2005 decision to bar those with only UEC and SPM qualifications from taking the exam.
“Malaysia is a supporter of China’s Belt and Road initiative.
“If we have lawyers who know Chinese, they can explain the investment policies better, which will be conducive to business,” he said.
Loh said the trade and investment link with China would also bring vast opportunities for the legal profession, not only benefit- ing lawyers but also arbitrators, mediators and translators.
He cautioned that the window of opportunity is very small as the command of English among the younger generation in China is picking up.
“Singapore is also training Mandarin-speaking added.
“During a recent visit to Malaysia, representatives from the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission were pleasantly surprised by our command of Chinese and our Chinese education system.
“At present, the standard of Chinese language in Malaysia can be considered the best among Asean nations.”
All this while, UEC holders can take the CLP if they possess one of the following additional qualifications: SPM, two principal STPM passes or two principal A-Level passes.
The issue became a controversy following a written reply in Parliament by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri lawyers,” he Azalina Othman Said that LPQB had decided to implement the 2005 decision following a meeting held on Dec 7 last year.
The application deadline for the coming CLP exam is Dec 31.
The United Chinese School Committees’ Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) is also pleased that LPQB agreed to put the matter on hold on Tuesday.
It thanked Malaysian Bar president and LPQB member George Varughese for taking Dong Zong’s view to the LPQB directors’ meeting.
“According to the data we collected, at least 143 Chinese independent school graduates are currently reading law or planning to register for the CLP exam,” Dong Zong said in a statement.