KUALA LUMPUR: The Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department will review outdated commercial and criminal laws, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said a committee to review the laws was formed on Jan 14 this year, and several federal court judges led it.
“The committee will review the laws and look at all outdated aspects of the law,” said Azalina during her winding-up speech in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 25).
According to Azalina, amendments to the commercial laws are good, as the Contract Act was last amended in 1976.
“If we look at the contents of the Contract Law, there are many old phrases that are irrelevant, and as a result, many complex issues in digital transactions could not be addressed.
“Sometimes, the burden of proof in contract cases is challenging,” said Azalina.
At the same time, Azalina said 511 sections under the Penal Code, 167 under the Evidence Act, and 444 sections in the Criminal Procedural Code required a review.
“We want to strengthen the criminal justice system in the country,” said Azalina.
“This is a commitment of the Madani government to carry out reforms so that no one is left behind in terms of justice,” added Azalina.
Last August, Azalina said more than 3,000 outdated laws must be reviewed to ensure that legislation remains relevant.
