KUALA LUMPUR: The National Unity Ministry is reviewing proposed improvements to the Mediation Act to establish a clearer legal framework for strengthening community mediation services under the National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN).
Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the Act, which falls under the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU), does not specifically cover the operation of JPNIN’s community mediation services.
He noted that while community mediator training and accreditation currently rely on Section 8(d) of the Rukun Tetangga Act, this provision alone cannot support a comprehensive operational framework.
“I have therefore asked JPNIN to meet with BHEUU to review the proposed improvements, including amendments to the Mediation Act 2012, to provide a clearer legal basis for these services,” he said.
He was speaking at the launch of the Seri Kota Public Housing Collaborative Social Project on Community Mediation here yesterday.
Also present was Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Aaron also called on JPNIN and the National Integration Research and Training Institute to conduct comparative studies of countries with specific legal frameworks for community mediation, including Singapore, India and Sri Lanka.
He cited Singapore’s Community Mediation Centres Act, India’s Mediation Act and Sri Lanka’s Mediation Boards Act as examples for comparison.
The study, he said, would help assess how legislation in these countries regulates the powers and functions of mediation bodies, mediator accreditation, mediation procedures and safeguards for parties involved.
Meanwhile, the ministry is expanding its Community Mediation Centre network by opening 12 new branches nationwide this year, including in Kota Kinabalu, Miri, Pontian, Kuala Terengganu, and Shah Alam.
“These centres will serve as community reference points for information, preliminary advice and appropriate channels to resolve community issues and disputes.
“This approach will help identify and address conflicts early, before they escalate into more serious disputes and strain community relations,” he said.
On the Seri Kota Public Housing Community Mediation Centre, Aaron said it was JPNIN’s 11th such centre.
Its location was selected based on several factors, including a population of nearly 6,000, available local facilities, community demand and the need to address neighbourhood issues.
He said the centre’s establishment also followed a resolution proposed at the 2024 K2K Initiative Development Strategic Workshop organised by Think City in collaboration with government agencies and stakeholders.
