UM law students put Malaysia on world map

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): A team of law students from University Malaya have done Malaysia proud by winning the Best Paper award at the International Youth Legal Exchange Conference 2021 in Hong Kong.

Comprising Lim San Shien, Geoffrey Mosiol and Jowena John from UM's Faculty of Law, the students beat participants from 11 countries with their paper presentation on Malaysia's unique dual legal system - Civil Law and Syariah Law.

Lim told Bernama that the other countries included Singapore, China, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Mongolia besides the Special Administrative Territories of Macau and Hong Kong,.

Organised by the Department of Justice of the Government of Hong Kong and International Youth Legal Exchange Federation, he said Malaysia’s conference paper via zoom on September 11 focused on its dual legal systems as provided in Article 121(1A) of Federal Constitution.

"We stressed that Malaysia is diverse in its history and culture which explains our legal pluralism of the justice system where Common law and Shariah law can run harmoniously and concurrently to ensure equitable access of justice for all citizens,” said Lim.

For their efforts, the Malaysian delegates will be awarded a sponsored trip to Hong Kong to participate in Hong Kong Legal Week 2022.

"I am excited to visit Hong Kong to exchange views, learn about the diverse and vibrant cultures of the world and get to know more about other legal jurisdictions, said Lim, who is a third year law student and the founder of University of Malaya Young Leaders Association (UM Young Leaders).

The theme of this international conference is "Access to Justice: The Key to Inclusive Society and Sustainable Development” which aims to provide a cross-jurisdiction platform for youths to share and exchange their views on the legal system and in advancing access to justice in their respective jurisdictions.

Lim said the Malaysian team also provided various creative and brilliant suggestions for the legal system to attain and realise Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 which is peace, justice and strong institutions in an effort to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for all citizens to thrive.

"The need to ensure fair access to justice to all citizens, upholding constitutional supremacy concept and accelerating the sustainable development of our nation underpinned by the rule of law are of paramount importance for our nation to be the exemplar of the world in realising SDG," he said.

Lim also expressed the hope that such discussions and conferences will lead to more positive progress with all nations in promotion of rule of law society, peace and harmony around the world collaboratively for the greater benefit of mankind.- Bernama