LKPU Digesa Segerakan Pengiktirafan Ijazah Undang-Undang USIM

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 Julai – Timbalan Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan musykil dengan kesukaran yang dihadapi Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) dalam mendapatkan kelayakan penuh daripada Lembaga Kelayakan Profesion Undang-Undang Malaysia (LKPU) yang dipengerusikan oleh Peguam Negara.

Katanya, apatah lagi setelah pelbagai maklumbalas dan pematuhan oleh USIM terhadap pelbagai saranan, syarat dan kriteria tambahan yang dikenakan oleh LKPU.

“Keadaan ini menyukarkan graduan untuk merancang masa depan mereka terutama sekali bagi mereka yang berhasrat untuk beramal dalam bidang undang-undang.

“Jika semua ini adalah kerenah birokrasi, maka segala kesulitan dan kelewatan akibat proses ini adalah penganiayaan terhadap anak-anak bangsa kita dan makanya harus diselesaikan segera.

“Namun sebaliknya, jika isu ini bukan disebabkan kelewatan birokrasi, pasti akan timbul tanggapan bahawa Lembaga Kelayakan Profesion Undang-Undang seolah-olah mempunyai suatu agenda tersembunyi,” tegasnya dalam satu kenyataan.

Mohamad yang juga bekas Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan berkata demikian mengulas mengenai laporan yang mengatakan USIM masih belum mendapat pengiktirafan penuh LKPU.

Ujarnya, tanpa kelayakan penuh, graduan undang-undang USIM tidak boleh diterima masuk sebagai peguamcara dan peguambela serta beramal dalam bidang undang-undang di mahkamah Malaysia.

Tambah Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Rantau itu, proses penawaran program akademik di institut pengajian tinggi awam dikawalselia dengan ketat oleh Senat Universiti, Lembaga Pengarah Universiti, Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi dan Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia.

Begitu juga jelasnya, program seperti undang-undang, sebelum dilaksanakan haruslah melalui pelbagai proses kawalselia termasuk penubuhan ‘Board of Studies’ yang dianggotai oleh pakar dalam pelbagai bidang kepakaran khusus.

“Saya mempunyai rasa hormat yang sangat tinggi terhadap kumpulan pengamal undang-undang Malaysia dan ramai daripada mereka yang terkemuka dalam bidang undang-undang juga merupakan rakan-rakan saya.

“Mereka sangat mengutamakan integriti dan kualiti yang ‘impeachable’ standardnya.

“Justeru, demi menjaga nama baik dan reputasi unggul Lembaga Kelayakan Profesion Undang-Undang Malaysia, saya menyeru penyelesaian segera dibuat mengenai isu ini,” gesanya lagi.

LKPU urged to speed up USIM legal degree recognition

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 – UMNO Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is puzzled by the difficulties faced by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) in obtaining full recognition for its legal degree from the Malaysian Legal Profession Qualification Board (LKPU) chaired by the Attorney General.
He said not to mention various feedback and compliance by USIM on various suggestions, conditions and additional criteria imposed by LKPU.
“This situation makes it difficult for graduates to plan their future, especially for those who wish to practice in the field of law. If all this is bureaucratic, then all the difficulties and delays due to this process are persecution of the children of our nation and therefore must be resolved immediately.
“On the other hand, if this issue is not due to bureaucratic delays, the impression is that the Legal Profession Qualification Board seems to have a hidden agenda,” he said in a statement.
Mohamad, who is also the former Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan said this when commenting on a report that USIM had not yet received full LKPU recognition.
He said, without full qualification, USIM law graduates cannot be accepted as lawyers and advocates and practice law in Malaysian courts.
He added that the process of offering academic programs in public institutions of higher learning institution is strictly regulated by the University Senate, the University Board of Directors, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.
Similarly, it is clear that programs such as law, before being implemented must go through various regulatory processes, including the establishment of a ‘Board of Studies’ which consists of experts in various specialized areas of expertise.
“I have a very high regard for the group of Malaysian legal practitioners and many of them who are leading in the field of law are also my friends. They really prioritize integrity and quality that is ‘impeachable’ standard.
“Therefore, in order to maintain the good name and superior reputation of the Malaysian Legal Profession Qualifications Board, I call for an immediate solution to this issue,” he added.
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