KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Negara today passed the Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill 2025, the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025 and the Offenders Compulsory Attendance Bill 2025.
Also passed were the National Registration (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Consumer Credit Bill 2025.
The Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill 2025, aimed at expanding access to justice and restructuring the existing legal aid system to ensure greater efficiency and inclusivity, was tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and passed with a majority voice vote after being debated by 10 senators.
In her winding-up speech, Azalina said the fee for legal aid services and public defence services is only nominal and symbolic, not meant to burden the B40 and lower M40 groups.
This, she said, after several senators raised the matter during their debates.
“It shows the applicant’s commitment, so that this service is not taken lightly. It is also to prevent abuse of the system through repeated applications without genuine need,” said Azalina.
The Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025, aimed to validate the collection of ferry services between Pengkalan Kubor in Malaysia and Tak Bai in Thailand, was tabled by Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and passed with a majority voice vote after being debated by two senators.
In his winding-up speech, Ahmad said the operation cost for the ferry services between 2015 and 2024 stood at RM12.3 million, with revenue collected at RM1.3 million.
He said the operation costs comprised ferry maintenance, fuel and staff.
The Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at broadening the category of offenders eligible for mandatory community service in place of imprisonment, tabled by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah was passed with a majority voice vote after being debated by three senators.
In his winding-up speech, Shamsul Anuar said: “We have confidence in the authority of the court to make any decision. Within the framework of the law, every decision and matter to be determined is very clear.
“Therefore, we trust the decision that will be made by the court, as it will take into account all necessary considerations before reaching a verdict — including whether imprisonment is appropriate for the individual, based on factors such as character and the seriousness of the offence among others.”
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