KUALA LUMPUR (June 1): The government has agreed to rescind an earlier prohibition on the presence of lawyers in court following the implementation of a full lockdown, provided they are involved in the fresh charge of criminal cases of their clients, attend remand proceedings and are involved in other criminal applications.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan in a statement today said this was agreed in a special National Security Council meeting yesterday, despite having decided a day earlier to bar lawyers' presence in courts.

“Lawyers' physical presence in court is allowed in the three above conditions. Lawyers have to make the application at the nearest police station for the above purposes. They are required to adhere to the existing standard operating procedures during the duration of the movement control order of this lockdown.

“Besides this, the government agreed that law firms involved with corporate and conveyancing of essential services which they represent can also apply to remain operational. Hence, the law firms representing companies/factories or businesses can apply with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry through its Covid-19 Intelligent Management System (CIMS) 3.0,” he said.

Takiyuddin said all parties must adhere to the existing directives issued in the first phase of MCO in order to flatten the curve of Covid-19 infections.

Prior to this, there have been some questions on the implementation of the lockdown, which bars the presence of lawyers in courts, and the requirement for all law firms to shut between June 1 and 14.