JOHOR BARU – Current legal aid services in the country require improvements to ensure high quality of service along with access to justice, particularly for the B40, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
In a statement today, the Pengerang MP said that in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s push for free legal aid for criminal cases, the government is holding discussions with various stakeholders on April 11 and 12 at the Asian International Arbitration Centre.
At present, for criminal cases, legal aid is provided by the Legal Aid Department, the Bar Council’s Legal Aid Centre (LAC), the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) and legal aid clinics provided by universities.
“Current legal aid services require improvements to increase the quality of services and access to justice for the B40.
“Thus, legal aid and legal advice in criminal cases should be easily accessible by any Malaysian and non-citizen minors at the arrest, remand, bail and mitigation levels of the criminal justice system,” Azalina said.
The objective of the consultation session held today and tomorrow is to provide a platform for exchanging ideas and a forum to discuss policy pertaining to the proposed Public Defender’s Bill.
The consultation session would be able to collect various data from the participants regarding policy matters and the feasibility of specific legislation for legal aid and the setting up of a Public Defender’s Office.
“The Madani government will emphasise continuous discussions so that we can ensure an effective system in providing legal aid to Malaysians who need it,” Azalina added. – The Vibes, April 11, 2023
