A government proposal to revive the law ministry has been welcomed by Bar Council leaders, who say the move would strengthen the legal system and improve access to justice.
Bar Council president Ezri Abdul Wahab said the Bar supported the re-establishment of a dedicated ministry, describing it as vital for the development of the legal sector.
A dedicated ministry would provide clarity of purpose, as it would have sole responsibility for shaping legal policy, driving law reform and strengthening the legal infrastructure.
Former Bar president Salim Bashir said a separate ministry would improve efficiency and strengthen public confidence. He said the legal affairs division of the Prime Minister’s Department should be absorbed into the ministry.
However, he urged caution against granting the ministry powers that might inadvertently slow reform. “The caution of having a standalone ministry clothed with autonomous powers should not create unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that impede the growth of legal reforms in the country,” he said.
Ezi said a stand-alone ministry would provide focus on the development of the legal sector, law reform, and access to justice. “It would also reflect the importance of law as an institution that serves the public interest,” he told FMT.
He dismissed concerns that the revival of the ministry would add another layer of bureaucracy.
However, the ministry’s effectiveness would depend on how it was structured. A well-defined mandate would allow the ministry to streamline reform by coordinating efforts currently spread across different agencies. The ministry could serve also as a central point for engagement with stakeholders, including the Bar, academia, and civil society.
“The key risk is if the ministry is created without sufficient independence, resources, or clarity in its functions,” he said. A well-structured ministry committed to meaningful consultation could be a cornerstone for modernising the legal system and strengthening public trust.
Ezri said the ministry’s top priorities should include setting up an independent law commission to modernise laws, strengthening judicial infrastructure, expanding access to justice, and ensuring that laws were consistent with constitutional principles and fundamental rights.
Salim said an autonomous ministry responsible for all legal affairs, including the drafting of policies and legislation, would improve government efficiency.
It could also be seen as a progressive step to carry out reforms and maintain judicial independence, with funds allocated separately for court administration rather than through the Prime Minister’s Department.
The proposal to revive the ministry was raised last week by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who said he was giving serious thought to the matter.
The law ministry was dissolved in 1995 and replaced by the legal affairs division of the PM’s Department, with oversight over the insolvency department, legal aid department, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, National Legal Aid Foundation and Asian International Arbitration Centre.
