It’s status quo for UEC-SPM holders taking the CLP

PETALING JAYA: Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) holders with a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualification can breathe a little easier for now – they can still take their Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) examination.

The Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) has put off implementing a 2005 decision that bars those with only UEC and SPM qualifications from taking the exam.

“That is the current position and will remain so until it is deemed necessary to change,” Malaysian Bar president and LPQB member George Varughese said.

He confirmed that the decision was reached at the LPQB directors’ meeting on Tuesday.

All this while, UEC holders could take the CLP if they possess one of the following additional qualifications: SPM, two principal STPM passes or two principal ALevel passes.

The issue became a controversy following a written reply in Parlia ment by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said that the LPQB had decided to implement the 2005 decision following a meeting held on Dec 7 last year.

However, the board’s latest decision has put the matter on hold.

It was previously reported that the board may review the 12yearold decision at future meetings.

According to a notice on the LPQB website, the decision against recognising the UEC as equivalent to the SPM or STPM was made in 2005.

The board is composed of the AttorneyGeneral, the Malaysian Bar president, two judges and an academic nominated by the Government.