KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to establish a Law Reform Commission is currently being evaluated to identify a model that best suits Malaysia’s legal and administrative structure, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said the assessment, conducted by the Legal Affairs Division, takes into account practices in several countries, including England and Wales, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and India.
She said the study also involves engagement sessions with ministries, government agencies, legal professionals, academics and civil society organisations.
"However, what is more important is determining whether the commission should be established as an independent body, similar to Suhakam, or placed under Parliament, as it will be responsible for reviewing laws that require reform, including outdated legislation.
"The division has also proposed setting up a steering committee, which I will chair alongside representatives from all ministries, to examine the direction and framework for establishing the Law Reform Commission," she said.
Azalina said this when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2027 (Budget 2027) at the policy stage for her ministry in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 26).
She said the proposed commission's key functions include reviewing outdated laws, identifying inconsistencies and gaps in legislation, and simplifying legal language to make laws easier to understand.
She said the findings and finalised recommendations will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration before further developments are presented to the Dewan Rakyat.
