The Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee refers to the Malaysian Bar’s Circular No.208/2025 dated 16 June 2025 titled “Roadmap on Minimum Remuneration for Pupils” (the Circular), enclosing the Findings and Recommendations from Econworks (the Findings)[1]. The Findings were further elaborated on during the Townhall organised by the National Young Lawyers & Pupils Committee (NYLPC) on 18 July 2025 (Townhall)[2].
We record our appreciation to all who contributed to the development of this structured framework – an important first step in safeguarding the financial welfare of pupils, whose remuneration has, until now, been unregulated.
According to the Circular, the framework for implementing a minimum remuneration for pupils will be based on a phased, catch-up model:-
(i) A minimum monthly remuneration rate of RM 1,350 will apply to all law firms in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya from April 2026 for a period of three years;
(ii) A minimum monthly remuneration rate of RM 1,000 will apply to law firms in all other West Malaysian states. This rate will see a gradual increase over three years, beginning from April 2026, or three months from the date the relevant rule(s) in respect of minimum remuneration for pupils come into operation (whichever is later), until parity is reached at RM 1,350 by April 2028; and
(iii) From April 2029 onwards, a uniform national minimum remuneration rate will be implemented, which shall not be lower than 50% of the national median wage of the preceding year. This rate is also subject to a periodic review by the Bar Council.
As highlighted in the Findings, approximately 95% of law firms in Kuala Lumpur already pay their pupils a monthly remuneration rate of RM 1,350 or higher[3], a fact which the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee is heartened to note.
During the Townhall, the Co-Chairperson of the NYLPC explained that despite this, the decision not to set a higher minimum monthly remuneration rate for Kuala Lumpur was deliberate. It was due to the primary objective of enabling national harmonisation of the minimum monthly remuneration rate within three years. The fixing of a substantially higher rate for Kuala Lumpur, she explained, may result in Kuala Lumpur deviating too far from the other states for a prolonged period thereby not allowing for uniformity across the states. Importantly, the Co-Chairperson of the NYLPC emphasised that the prescribed minimum is not intended as a recommended rate. It is merely the floor, but firms are encouraged to pay more where possible.
The Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee recognises this broader national objective underlying the intended framework. However, we are acutely aware that a monthly remuneration rate of RM 1,350 is not a sustainable wage for a person living in Kuala Lumpur. According to the 2024/2025 Belanjawanku Expenditure Guide released by the Employees Provident Fund, the estimated minimum monthly budget for a single adult in the Klang Valley ranges from RM 1,970 (for public transport users) to RM 2,800 (for car owners)[4]. Within the legal profession, it is undeniable that the majority of pupils would likely require their own transportation, given that, among others, both the Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam Courts, as well as many other government buildings, are not easily accessible by public transport.
Therefore, the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee encourages all law firms in Kuala Lumpur to pay a monthly remuneration rate that reflects both the cost of living in Kuala Lumpur and the value that pupils bring to the legal profession, having considered both the minimum monthly budget recommended by the Employees Provident Fund, and the firm’s individual financial capability. We must not allow the legal profession in Kuala Lumpur to become inaccessible to promising youths simply because they cannot afford to survive on the remuneration offered. A diverse and inclusive Bar begins with fair and adequate support at the earliest stage of the profession, to ensure continued succession within our ranks.
Besides remuneration, the Co-Chairpersons of the NYLPC had also explained during the Townhall that the NYLPC are working on implementing other commendable measures to improve pupils’ welfare. This includes proposals for a pupil insurance scheme, recommended best practices between a law firm and a legal assistant, and continuing improvements to the existing guidelines and recommendations of responsibilities between masters and pupils[5]. The Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee fully supports these measures, and will contribute actively towards the formulation of the same through our representatives on the NYLPC, namely the Co-Chairpersons of the Kuala Lumpur Bar’s Young Lawyers Committee, and the Pupils Welfare Committee.
Pupils are not merely observers in our profession. They are contributors, colleagues in training and more importantly, the future of the Bar. It cannot be disputed that while pupils are primarily there to learn from their masters, they also provide value towards the firms they join, and to their masters. Let us honour our responsibility to nurture them with dignity and ensure they are not just protected on paper, but also respected in practice.
Regards,
Nimalan Devaraja
Chairman
Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee
Tay Kit Hoo
Co Chairperson
Pupils Welfare Committee
Michelle Siah Yi Yen
Co Chairperson
Pupils Welfare Committee
[1] https://www.malaysianbar.org.my/cms/upload_files/document/Circular%20No%20208-2025.pdf
[2] https://www.malaysianbar.org.my/cms/upload_files/document/Circular%20No%20233-2025.pdf
[3] The Findings, page 23.
[4] https://www.kwsp.gov.my/documents/d/guest/20241115_booklet_belanjawanku_en_005_ol-compressed, page 16.
[5] https://www.malaysianbar.org.my/cms/upload_files/document/Circular%20No%20045-2022.pdf