Malaysia urgently needs more ombudsmen

IN a democracy, power is derived from the people. The traditional three branches of government, Legislative (makes laws), Executive (implements laws), and Judiciary (interprets laws) are designed to have checks and balances on each other. However, these systems can be complex, slow, expensive, and intimidating for the average citizen.

An ombudsman acts as a crucial fourth pillar of democratic governance. He or she is an independent, impartial, and high-level public official who investigates citizens' complaints against government agencies, officials, and employees. The position’s importance lies in its role as a bridge between the citizen and the state.