In a supplementary question directed at the Prime Minister’s Department, Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) asked whether lawyers who help the poor under the proposed Public Defenders Act will be fairly compensated or have their payments delayed.

“Malaysia already has the YBGK scheme, which has been in place since 2010. Will there be an overlap in the services offered by lawyers under that scheme and those under the proposed new Act?

“Second, can the government guarantee that there will be enough funds to compensate these lawyers once the new Act comes into effect?

“Two days ago, a Bar Council meeting revealed that more than RM10 million is owed under the YBGK scheme. This means lawyers who spend their time providing legal aid to the poor are not being paid,” he said.

In her reply, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said she has not received any complaints about delayed payment from the foundation.

She said that under the proposed new Act, lawyers appointed to act as public defenders will receive “fair compensation”.

On whether the foundation will overlap with the Public Defenders Act, Azalina said she was not yet in a position to answer the question.

“I cannot say what will happen to YBGK. We have not made a policy decision on whether it will be absorbed (into the new scheme),” she said.

Azalina acknowledged, however, that at present there are several different schemes available, including the government’s legal aid department, the Bar Council’s legal aid centre, YBGK and legal clinics organised by public universities such as Universiti Malaya.