Nazri, a lawyer and former minister for legal affairs, had said in a media interview on Friday that the proposed amendments could be seen as interference in the professional body for lawyers.

In a statement today, Kula said Nazri’s statement was “most welcome news” and urged the government to drop the proposed amendments, meant to cut the Bar Council down to size, which he called “a foolish idea”.

“The government must not interfere in the Bar Council’s self-regulation and internal management” and instead should be a partner of democracy.

He said government backbenchers had questioned the role and functions of the Bar Council, alleging that it was acting more like an opposition political party, because the Bar sought a judicial review of the Attorney-General’s exoneration of the prime minister and his directive to close investigations into 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

The Bar had also sought to disqualify Apandi from making any further decision regarding the MACC’s investigation into a RM2.6 billion donation to Najib Razak.

The government proposes to appoint two representatives to sit on the council, increase the quorum for the Bar’s general meetings and amend the electoral process.

He accused the Attorney-General and the government of failing to understand the Legal Profession Act’s stipulation that the Bar should act without fear or favour.

Kula also urged the government to remove court fees and other charges for legal aid cases taken up by the Bar to represent the poor. Government legal aid bureaus are given this concession.

He urged other ministers to openly support Nazri’s forthright and principled statement.