THE Malaysian Bar are up in arms over confusion on the need to have approval from the International Trade and Industries Ministry (MITI) to conduct work by legal firms.
“We received information from Bar members that they have been ordered by the police to produce a notification of registration confirmation generated by the MITI’s database; COVID-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS), at police roadblocks while travelling to work.
“But based on a press release by MITI on Jan 12, entitled “Economic Sectors in the Essential Services Allowed to Operate Throughout the Period of Movement Control Order (MCO)”, paragraph 8 says only companies in the manufacturing sector, under MITI’s watch, are required to register with CIMS and bring along a copy of the notification of registration confirmation,” its secretary AG Kalidas said, in a statement.
Kalidas said that he had since written a letter to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador on the matter, urging the latter to clear the confusion.
He had also informed Hamid that law firms are guided by the standard operating procedures (SOPs) provided by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Legal Affairs Division, as updated on Jan 14.
“And under the updated regulation by PMO, there is no mention of law firms being required to register with CIMS.
“We hope that the IGP will be able to assist us on this. With that, I hope Bar members will not face any hindrance or obstacles travelling to office.
“On our part, we have reminded our members, pupils in chambers and law firm staff to always bring along the authorisation letter from their firms while travelling to work,” Kalidas added. – Jan 17, 2021.
