PUTRAJAYA: The Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister's Department (JPM), together with the Asian International Arbitration Centre (Malaysia) (AIAC), continues to strengthen strategic cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore in the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) field to enhance cross-border dispute settlement and develop the regional ADR ecosystem.
BHEUU said in a statement on Wednesday (June 3) that the collaboration follows a series of discussions between Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and Singapore's Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong since the ASEAN Legal Forum 2025 and the Commonwealth Law Ministers' Meeting 2026.
"In the latest meeting, both parties discussed efforts to strengthen the mediation framework, cross-border commercial dispute resolution, professional capacity building and the sharing of best practices in the ADR industry.
"The discussions also covered Malaysia's efforts to develop more structured and uniform mediator accreditation standards, taking into account Singapore's experience and best practices," said BHEUU.
The statement said that both parties also exchanged views on the ratification of the Singapore Convention and efforts to promote mediation at the international level.
In a bid to strengthen institutional cooperation, BHEUU said AIAC had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) and the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC), witnessed by both ministers.
"The MOU will expand cooperation in the promotion of international arbitration and mediation, including the organisation of professional programmes and conferences in both countries," said BHEUU.
BHEUU said that the Malaysian delegation also held an engagement session with the Singapore International Mediation Institute and the Community Mediation Unit to explore best practices in professional accreditation, mediator competency development and the empowerment of the mediation ecosystem.
In addition, the MoU underscores the institutions' commitment to exploring the joint organisation of ADR-related events and forums in Kuala Lumpur and/or Singapore, serving as a platform for collaboration among policymakers, ADR institutions and industry stakeholders across the region.
According to the statement, the MADANI government remains committed to strengthening the country's dispute resolution ecosystem through a modern, effective and investor-friendly ADR approach, in line with the institutional reform agenda and efforts to position Malaysia as a leading ADR hub in Asia.- Bernama
