Bar Council to file disciplinary complaints against lawyers, legal firms involved in graft

PETALING JAYA: The Bar Council will file disciplinary complaints against any lawyer or law firm involved in the recent alleged acts of corruption related to bank loan financing.

Its president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said the council acknowledged recent media reports about several bank officers who were charged with receiving bribes from a law firm.

“This matter is very serious as it undermines public trust, not only in financial institutions but also in the integrity of the legal profession.

“The Malaysian Bar Council strongly condemns all forms of corruption. Integrity and independence are fundamental pillars of the legal profession, and any conduct that undermines these values is unacceptable,” he said in a statement on Friday.

It was reported that ten current and former bank officers were brought to the Shah Alam Sessions Court on charges of receiving bribes from several law firms in exchange for recommending them as providers of housing financing documents.

The charges were made under Section 16(a)(A) and Section 25(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.

Elaborating further, the Malaysian Bar Council reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the dignity of the legal profession and maintain public confidence in the administration of justice.

“We express our appreciation to the enforcement agencies for handling this matter with the appropriate level of seriousness.

“Their firm action sends a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated and that all parties involved must be held accountable.

“We will continue to act firmly and responsibly to uphold the legal profession and all the values it stands for,” he said.