Zaid, who was the de-facto law minister during the Abdullah Ahmad Badawi administration, said lawyers must respect personal freedom and refrain from forcing one’s personal beliefs on others.

“I am shocked that the idea (to Islamise the Bar) was mooted by a lawyer.

“We must respect the traditions of the Bar. We need to accept that this is a democracy; let others do as they will, as long as they don’t force it on others,” he told FMT.

The lawyer-turned-politician was commenting on Mohd Amir Sharil Bahari Md Noor’s recent proposal to Islamise the Malaysian Bar while contesting for the post of Kuala Lumpur Bar chairman.

He also filed a motion to ban alcohol at Malaysian Bar events, arguing that alcohol consumption was prohibited by almost all religions.

The lawyer, who also practises shariah law, said the removal of alcohol would make the Bar shariah-compliant. He also claimed that the presence of alcohol at events made Muslim lawyers uncomfortable.

But Zaid has dismissed the proposed Islamisation of the Bar as an attempt to use religion to conceal individual weaknesses.

“The problem these days is that there are many quarters trying to Islamise the country and the Malays.

“I think it would be better for one to Islamise oneself,” said the former MP, adding that hoped Amir’s proposal would be rejected by every Bar Council member.

Meanwhile, former Bar Council president Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari said Amir’s proposal was unsuitable as the Bar was not a Muslim set-up.

“It is neither a Muslim nor a non-Muslim organisation. Nor is it based on religion, race or skin colour.

“It is an independent organisation that determines the lawyers qualified to practise in Malaysia.”

FMT understands that alcohol is served at state and national Bar events. Those who choose to partake are billed for what they consume separately from the cost of the event.