Executive

Profile

ExCo Member

Ms Karen Cheah Yee Lynn

Karen Lynn

Immediate Past President, Malaysian Bar (2022/2023 & 2023/2024)
Chairperson

  • Bar Council Committee on AMLA
  • Bar Council International Affairs Committee
  • Bar Council LAWASIA Conference 2024 Organising Committee

Karen Cheah Yee Lynn is the Immediate Past President of the Malaysian Bar. Her presidential term was from March 2022 to March 2024.
Her tenure as a dedicated Bar Council Member started since 2012 when she was elected as the Chairman of the Malacca State Bar Committee from 2012 to 2015 and the Bar Council Representative to the Bar Council from 2015/2016 – where she would concurrently sit in the Bar Council under the Legal Profession Act 1976, holding dual roles and wearing separate hats on a multitude of issues at State and Federal levels.
She was appointed as the Treasurer of the Malaysian Bar for the terms 2013/2014 and 2014/2015. Following this, she served as the Secretary of the Malaysian Bar for the terms 2015/2016 and 2016/2017.
In her active engagements with the Bar Council the last 12 years, she had held positions as the:

  1. Chairperson of the Bar Council Finance Committee,
  2. Chairperson of the Bar Council Legal Profession Committee,
  3. Chairperson of the Bar Council Ad Hoc Committee to the Amendments of the Legal Profession Act,
  4. Chairperson of the Bar Council Ad Hoc Committee on Conditional Fee Rules (Re Non-Personal Injuries),
  5. Co-Chairperson of the Bar Council Committee to Reform the Legal Sector (LPA Amendment), the Bar Council Constitutional Law Committee, and
  6. Chairperson of the Bar Council Corporate and Commercial Committee and the Bar Council International Professional Services Committee.

The driving force when helming such positions has always been in the best interest of the Malaysian Bar, upholding the statutory objectives of the organisation, without fear or favour.

She was also behind the establishment of Bar Council Child Rights Committee back in 2014.

She is the current Chairperson of the Bar Council Committee on Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (AMLA) and the Bar Council International Affairs Committee.
The last year has seen her committed efforts in leading the organising of the 37th LAWASIA Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as Chairperson of the Organising Committee. Promoting the LAWASIA Conference internationally and locally since 2023 has been a passion of hers since 2023 when LAWASIA agreed that the 2024 conference would be held in Malaysia.

Summary of LAWASIA Activities

Karen Cheah currently serves as the Chairperson of the Bar Council LAWASIA Conference 2024 Organising Committee, which oversees the 37th LAWASIA Conference at Hilton Kuala Lumpur from 13 to 15 Oct 2024, in Malaysia. Since 2023 - engaging with LAWASIA, the Judiciary, sponsors, speakers, moderators and helming the Malaysian Bar Organising Team has been a big part of the constant activities to ensure that the upcoming conference is a huge success.

She has actively participated in the 36th LAWASIA Conference 2023 held in Bengaluru, presented as a speaker at the Rule of Law and Constitutional Law session on the Basic Doctrine principle in India from 24th to 27th November 2023.

She attended the LAWASIA Council Meetings during her term as the President of the Malaysian Bar.

Vision Statement

As a candidate for the LAWASIA Executive Committee, I am committed and determined to advance Rule of Law issues across the Asia Pacific jurisdictions and beyond so as to fulfill the objectives of LAWASIA.

Recognising the importance of strengthening legal frameworks in diverse jurisdictions, I envision fostering robust international relations by establishing effective networks between LAWASIA members and external organisations to promote collaboration and shared expertise. The only way forward and the key to a successful path for all stakeholders, is to continue the conversation with each and every stakeholder connected to the legal community.

My focus will also extend to addressing both contentious and non-contentious areas of legal practice, ensuring that our profession is all-rounded, equipped to meet the evolving demands of the legal landscape. In alignment with global priorities, I am dedicated to tackling Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing, and the Proceeds of Unlawful Activities (AMLA), offering practical solutions to safeguard legal systems and the legal professional privilege from external pressure and threats.

Lastly, I will champion the strengthening of institutions across jurisdictions, with a particular emphasis on the independence of the Bar and the judiciary, which are essential pillars of justice and fairness. Through these initiatives, I aim to contribute meaningfully to LAWASIA’s future direction and the development of a unified, resilient legal community.