The Dewan Negara today passed five bills, including the Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill 2025, which not only provides legal aid in court but also advisory services for those seeking legal guidance.
Bernama reported that the five bills passed comprised two under the home ministry and one each from the prime minister’s department (law and institutional reform), works ministry and finance ministry.
Apart from the Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill, the others are the Fees (Pengkalan Kubor Ferry) (Validation) Bill 2025, Compulsory Attendance for Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2025, National Registration (Amendment) Bill 2025 and Consumer Credit Bill 2025.
The Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill was approved by a majority voice vote after being debated by 10 senators.
“The uniqueness of this bill is that we can provide legal opinions, meaning beyond legal aid in court, individuals can request advice online without necessarily visiting legal aid offices,” law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said when winding up the debate.
She said access to such services remained a challenge, particularly for rural communities and those with limited awareness of their legal rights.
Azalina said the government is enhancing delivery mechanisms and engagement efforts to ensure inclusivity, in line with its institutional reform agenda.
Deputy home minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the National Registration (Amendment) Bill introduces biometric records, including facial and iris recognition to reduce identity fraud and ensure document accuracy.
“This will improve the efficiency of government services, making biometric verification more systematic, accurate and faster, while facilitating identity checks for subsidies, education, healthcare and elections,” he said.
Shamsul said the enhanced biometric database would also boost national security, border control and cross-border crime detection, as well as support investigations by linking suspects with crime scene evidence.
The Dewan Negara sitting will resume on Monday.
