Govt Studying Suitable Models For Malaysian Law Reform Commission - Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- The government is assessing suitable models for a proposed Malaysian Law Reform Commission, taking into account the country's legal and administrative framework, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

She said the assessment included practices adopted in England and Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and India.

“The commission's proposed core functions include reviewing outdated laws, identifying inconsistencies and legislative gaps, and simplifying legal language,” she said when winding up the policy-stage debate on the Supply Bill 2027 (Budget 2027) for her portfolio in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Azalina said the proposed commission would also conduct research and comparative studies, undertake public consultations and independently recommend legal reforms, including assisting in drafting bills for government consideration.

She said the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) had been studying the proposal since August 2023, focusing on the commission’s functions, structure and implementation model.

Azalina said the study would be followed by consultations with ministries, government agencies, legal practitioners, academics and civil society.

A steering committee, which she would chair, has also been proposed to coordinate the study, with participation from central agencies and relevant ministries.

“The finalised findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration before further developments are reported to the Dewan Rakyat,” she said.

The minister said establishing the commission was essential to ensuring legal reform remained a continuous process, independent of changes in government or political leadership.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced during the tabling of Budget 2027 on Oct 9 that the government was studying a proposal to establish the commission to identify outdated laws and legislative gaps.

Meanwhile, Azalina cited the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 (Act 869), which came into force on Oct 1 to restore Parliament's administrative autonomy after nearly three decades, as evidence of the Unity Government’s commitment to institutional reform.

-- BERNAMA