The government should heed Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria's suggestion that it avoids the perception of executive meddling, and withdraw the proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Act 1976, Bukit Gelugor MP Ram Karpal Singh said today.

While Arifin had been commenting on the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, Ram said his message could also be applied to the Act, which will be tabled in Parliament in October.

"It is important to note the essence of his (Arifin's) message was to stress the importance of avoiding the perception of interference at all costs, even if there is no actual interference," the DAP lawmaker said in a statement.

Ram noted that the Act when amended may see government representatives sitting on the Bar Council, while the de facto law minister would have the power to determine the Bar's electoral rules and regulations.

"It can be seen at once that the said proposed amendments allow interference by the executive in the affairs of the Bar," the lawyer added.

'Minister's access can lead to abuse'

He said giving the minister access to the Bar's affairs could lead to abuse, especially in cases where the executive comes under scrutiny.

Such cases require "utmost courage and independence on the part of the Bar to uphold the Rule of Law," Ram said.

He added the defence of the proposed amendments by de facto law minister Azalina Othman Said and attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali showed that they did not understand the main issue at hand.

"It matters not if there is no actual interference by the government in the affairs of the Bar, as Azalina and Apandi so desperately want us to believe.

"The very fact that there is a need for them to justify such amendments clearly shows there is such negative perception.

"What matters is the perception that such interference may occur," he said.

Ram said there was no need for government representatives on the Bar Council to foster closer ties between the legal profession and authorities, as mutual respect could work just as well.

"In the circumstances, I urge Azalina to seriously consider withdrawing the said proposed amendments and heed the wisdom of the CJ as stated above.

"There is no doubt that the perception of independence of the Bar Council would be severely compromised in the event the said amendments are passed," he said.