(Bernama) - The Bar Council was today criticized for rejecting the government's proposal of a law academy on the excuse that it infringed the principles of justice in the country.

Advocate and solicitor Nordin Yusoff claimed the council was worried that if the law academy was established, it (academy) would gather academicians, former judges and law degree holders under one association.

"They (council) are worried that as a result, many of its members would leave due to the many actions taken by the council," he told Bernama here.

Yesterday, council president Lim Chee Wee (pic) had rejected the establishment of the academy as it was not required by lawyers, academicians or former judges.

According to Nordin, the bar council of today, had failed to implement its role as a professional body which genuinely represented the desire of its members.

"Rather, it only pursued the personal interests of its leaders," he said.

As such, he said, the time had come for an alternative body to represent the voice of the lawyers, for legal practice, as well as the welfare of lawyers.

"The Bar Council did not carry out its role as a professional body as it was leaning towards the opposition by participating in the Bersih 3.0 illegal assembly in the federal capital on April 28.

"Indirectly, the involvement of the Bar Council in the illegal gathering has tarnished our image as council members, the majority of whom were not involved in supporting the activity," he said.