PM mulls dedicated Law Ministry to strengthen legal ecosystem

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivers his speech at the ASEAN Law Forum 2025 themed Enhancing Access to Justice in the ASEAN Economic Community: Bridging Legal Cooperation for Inclusive Growth in the Digital Age in Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. - BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he is seriously considering the establishment of a dedicated Law Ministry to strengthen and enhance the nation's legal ecosystem.

In his speech at the Asean Law Forum 2025 here on Thursday (Aug 21), he said that Malaysia was also looking for ways to strengthen its legal architecture.

"So, I have to seriously consider the establishment of a dedicated ministry, a step that not only would ensure greater coherence in our national legal ecosystem but also enable Malaysia to engage more meaningfully with our regional partners in advancing the rule of law," he said.

He joked that the decision was not pushed in by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, but based on his thoughts on the matter.

"This statement was not 'smuggled' by Azalina," he said to laughter from the floor.

"It is after my strong reflection on what I need to do towards the end of this year."

As Asean Chair for 2025, Anwar said Malaysia has chosen the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability".

"These are not mere words for a conference banner.

"Inclusivity means the law must serve every person, every community, and every generation.

"It is not enough for justice to exist in principle. It must be felt in the lives of our people.

"The law must empower and protect, not intimidate or exclude," he said.

Sustainability, in turn, was about building legal systems and institutions that stand the test of time, the Prime Minister added.