Azalina Voices Hope For Proposed Law Ministry To Become Reality Next Year

PUTRAJAYA, April 20 (Bernama) -- The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Law and Institutional Reform, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, hopes the proposed Ministry of Law, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, can become a reality next year.

She said this view aligns with current needs, given the expanding functions and responsibilities of the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) following various legal amendments that have been implemented.

"Indeed, BHEUU should become a full ministry so that we view the law as a very important element for the people, not merely seen as sitting under the Prime Minister's Department. That is not to say the Prime Minister's Department is unimportant.

“What I mean is that with its own ministry, with its own secretary-general, division secretary and director-general, it can operate more effectively to assist the people fully," she said today at the handover ceremony for the Office of Public Defender, launch of the Justice on Wheels roadshow, and commissioning of mediators for the Legal Aid Department.

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference later, she said the proposal was previously her personal view, but she hopes it can be translated into government policy in the future.

She said the expanding scope of work would include the establishment of tribunals, such as an anti-bullying tribunal, as well as strengthening of legal aid and the role of public defence, all of which require a more structured administrative framework.

"Many of the amendments we made have placed greater tasks on the legal division under the Prime Minister's Department, including staffing and departmental needs," she said.

These developments, she added, show the need to restructure these functions under a dedicated ministry for more integrated and effective management.

A dedicated ministry, she believes, would strengthen delivery of legal services to the public, in line with today's legal landscape.

On Aug 21, Anwar was reported as saying the government is considering establishing a Ministry of Law to ensure a more structured and integrated legal ecosystem.

In his keynote at the ASEAN Law Forum 2025, the Prime Minister also said the move would enable Malaysia to engage more meaningfully with regional partners in advancing the rule of law, especially with fellow ASEAN members.

-- BERNAMA