KUCHING: Ching Kwong Methodist Church has launched its free legal consultation service for the community here.
Anyone, irrespective of religion and race, can seek professional legal advice there.
The legal team, headed by Clement Wong, comprises Grace Yii, Chai Hui Mei, Bong Siak Peng, Alex Ngu and Wong King Wei, who is also Padungan assemblyman.
It is an effort initiated by the church’s social welfare committee to help individuals who need legal advice, but dreaded paying consultation fees.
Clement said his team offered perspectives and appropriate course of action on issues pertaining to loan transaction, administrative matters like estate and will, civil litigation, minor criminal offences, family matters and general advice.
“For civil litigation, if you are sued by the bank or face employment matters, we will offer legal consultation and advise you how to proceed from where you are.
“The free legal consultation is for everyone because the public perception has it that legal fees are very expensive. So we will provide anyone with the next course of action, but they are free to engage a lawyer of their choice should they require one,” he said at the launch at Ching Kwong Methodist Church in Pending here yesterday.
Wong added that at least three lawyers in the team would be present to attend to any legal matters brought up by members of the public.
The free legal service is available at the ground floor of the church’s Old Chapel from 2pm to 4pm on the fourth Saturday of every month.
At the launch, Ching Kwong Methodist Church lay leader Tiew Sii Kwong said provision of the free legal consultation service complemented the church’s community outreach efforts.
He said the church had been assisting many needy individuals and families in Pending Heights, Sungai Apong and Jalan Peace Selatan.
Last year, the church contributed RM40,000 to SMK Pending to provide breakfast for needy students. Last Christmas, it doled out RM3,300 to needy students of the school to buy uniforms.
“We have also been offering free tuition classes for children residing in the vicinity of the church. After every third Sunday service of the month, we have cleaning campaign at Pending Heights.
“In addition, our church members have been taking part in blood donation drives. We have also provided a family in Sungai Apong here with building materials.”
The tuition classes run from Monday to Wednesday between 7pm and 9pm.
For more information, Ching Kwong Methodist Church can be reached at 082-335510.