Ezri was first elected Bar president last year.

At a press conference following the conclusion of the Bar’s 79th annual general meeting, Ezri announced that Murshidah Mustafa retained her position as the secretary after being challenged for the post.

Ezri said Murshidah was re-elected to the position, but did not disclose her challenger.

Yesterday, FMT reported that Murshidah could face a challenge from council member Peter Douglas, from the Kuala Lumpur Bar.

Ezri said vice-president B Anand Raj and treasurer R Jayabalan were also returned unopposed today.

Under the Legal Profession Act (LPA), the 42-member Bar Council will elect the four office-bearers for the next term at the conclusion of the AGM.

The council is composed of 16 members elected by a nationwide ballot of lawyers, two representatives from each of the peninsula’s 12 state bar committees (including Kuala Lumpur), and the immediate past president and vice-president.

Ezri said 722 members attended today’s AGM and that a motion to reduce the building fund levy from RM250 to RM100 a year beginning next year was approved.

A motion to raise fees to the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board from the current RM60 to RM120 was also passed. The fees are meant to cover all expenses related to disciplinary proceedings held by the board under the LPA.