KOTA KINABALU: The Justice on Wheels initiative is set to expand in Sabah as demand for mobile legal aid surges, particularly in remote areas where citizenship-related cases dominate legal consultations.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran said the government aimed to increase the number of mobile legal aid vans to improve access to justice, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, where legal services are often scarce.
“We currently have five vans nationwide, three of which were acquired under the Madani government. However, we plan to expand this phase by phase to ensure better reach,” he said during the programme at Kampung Gas Batu Sapi, Sandakan on Saturday (Feb 15).
Unlike in Peninsular Malaysia, where legal aid services are more accessible, many rural communities in Sabah face difficulties obtaining legal assistance, he said.
While Justice on Wheels has provided aid for various cases — including medical negligence and legal malpractice — Kulasegaran said that a significant portion of requests in Sabah were related to citizenship issues.
Late birth certificate registration, cases involving children of foreigners, and statelessness are among the most common legal concerns in Sabah. Many affected individuals struggle with access to education, healthcare, and employment due to the lack of proper documentation.
"The programme cannot directly handle citizenship matters, as they fall under the jurisdiction of the National Registration Department (NRD).
"However, the legal professionals involved in Justice on Wheels provide essential guidance on navigating the legal process, including steps to resolve documentation issues legally," he said.
The Justice on Wheels programme was introduced in January 2024 as an initiative by the Legal Aid Department to provide mobile legal services to rural communities, particularly in Sabah. It aims to ensure that B40 groups and residents in remote areas have access to the legal assistance they need.
“So far, the programme has covered five locations in Sabah—Pitas, Tongod, Papar, Sipitang, and Paitan—before arriving in Sandakan. We are open to extending this service to other villages if needed,” he said.
With legal aid vans designed to reach even the most remote settlements, Justice on Wheels aims to bridge the justice gap by offering free legal consultations to underserved communities. Sessions are strictly confidential, ensuring privacy for individuals seeking advice on sensitive legal matters.
As the government pushes for wider legal access, the expansion of Justice on Wheels marks a significant step toward addressing the unique legal challenges faced by Sabah’s rural population, particularly in citizenship matters.
