KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- The Dewan Negara today passed five bills, including two under the Home Ministry and one each from the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), the Works Ministry and the Finance Ministry.
The bills are the Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill 2025, Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025, Compulsory Attendance for Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2025, National Registration (Amendment) Bill 2025 and Consumer Credit Bill 2025.
The Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill 2025 was approved by a majority voice vote after being debated by 10 senators.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the bill not only provides legal aid in court but also advisory services for those seeking legal guidance.
“The uniqueness of this bill is that we can provide legal opinions, meaning beyond legal aid in court, individuals can request advice online without necessarily visiting legal aid offices,” she said when winding up debate.
Azalina said access to such services remains a challenge, particularly for rural communities and those with limited awareness of their legal rights.
She added the government is enhancing delivery mechanisms and engagement efforts to ensure inclusivity, in line with the MADANI government’s institutional reform agenda.
Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the National Registration (Amendment) Bill 2025 introduces biometric records including 10 fingerprints, facial and iris recognition to reduce identity fraud and ensure accurate issuance of documents.
“This will improve the efficiency of government services, making biometric verification more systematic, accurate and faster, while facilitating identity checks for subsidies, education, healthcare and elections,” he said.
He said the enhanced biometric database would also boost national security, border control and cross-border crime detection, as well as support investigations by linking suspects with crime scene evidence.
The Dewan Negara sitting will resume on Monday.
-- BERNAMA
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