(C+P from my comment at the source page)

Exempting MMU law grads from the CLP examinations inevitably sets a precedent that will ripple throughout the legal scene in Malaysia. Even though the exemption is subject to a review every 2 years, it is highly unlikely that its prized status would be revoked in a blink of an eye anytime soon once granted. Hence, MMU may experience a flood of applications for the coming intakes of its law foundation/ degree programme itself.

At a glance, it seems rather unfair that students of a private college will be able to escape the much-dreaded CLP while other students, who are following non-local syllabuses are still subject to it.

However,other private colleges like Brickfields/ATC/Taylors will find it hard to be able to cry foul over the non-exemptions of their respective courses from the CLP . The English law remains the basis of the external UoL LLB and UK Degree Transfer program syllabuses, unlike MMU/UiTM/local universities, whose focus remains centered on Malaysian law. The difference however, may not be as vast as some parties paint it to be- Malaysian law is also mainly rooted on the common law legal system, and most law graduates who have completed a non-local degree have encountered no problems in adapting what they have learnt to put into practise here.

If MMU is granted this prized exemption, what is there to stop other private institutions from following in its footsteps now; by setting up a similiar 4-year law programme catering to “Malaysian law” in order to get around the CLP? We would have scores of private law schools churning out graduates by the dozen, flooding the market with an overwhelming supply.

Some view this move as ” lowering the standards required to become a lawyer” . Should the scenario in above materialize, private institutions of higher education would be tempted to lower the entry requirement threshold in order to admit more students and milk them for all their worth. Argue as you might over standards and integrity, but quality takes a backseat whenever business concerns and education cross paths. Without a proper qualifying exam, it will be difficult to discern the quality of these graduates, be they local or foreign educated.

Whatever happened to the proposed Common Bar Course for *everyone*? That seems like a fairer move in my opinion.