KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Bar Council president, Karen Cheah, has resigned as a member of the Advisory Board of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) citing a "conflict of interest" as the reason for stepping down.
Karen explained that the Malaysian Bar had raised objections to the conditions required of Board members as stipulated by the AIAC Advisory Board in a letter dated Sept 9, 2023. In response to these imposed requirements, she submitted her letter of resignation yesterday (Sept 11) with immediate effect.
This decision was made following the unanimous support of the Bar Council, which sought to uphold the principle of avoiding conflicts of interest that could arise during the execution of the Malaysian Bar's statutory duties. This was done to preserve the independence of the Malaysian Bar, particularly in accordance with section 42 of the Legal Profession Act 1976 (LPA), ensuring that the Malaysian Bar's interests remain unaffected by any external influence.
Her appointment to the board was made by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, which traditionally includes the president of the Malaysian Bar.
Karen emphasised that the Malaysian Bar firmly believes that the mandate of the rule of law, as outlined in the LPA, takes precedence over all other organisational considerations. Given its statutory obligations to its members and the general public, the independence of the Malaysian Bar cannot be compromised.
The Malaysian Bar also emphasised the significant potential impact of alternative dispute resolutions (ADR) in Malaysia and recognised its importance in the legal landscape.