Dewan Rakyat Pushes Legal Modernization with Approval of Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill
The House of Representatives, known as Dewan Rakyat, endorsed the Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill 2025 on August 25. The goal of this legislative measure is to enhance the accessibility of justice, as well as to overhaul the current legal aid services to boost its efficacy and universality.
The new bill is designed to bring the legal structure up-to-date by broadening its services to include civil and syariah legal aid and mediation services. Also, the bill provides for legal companionship for cases that involve juveniles, reflecting a more comprehensive approach to legal matters.
A salient feature of the new law is its aim to broaden the services of the legal aid and public defense system. This includes initiating online legal counsel services, a significant step towards inclusivity and accessibility in providing justice.
The discussion surrounding the bill underscored the importance of accessibility to legal aid, especially in cases where those in need are unable to secure legal representation. Such situations are deemed critical and directly point to the need for reform in the legal aid system.
The introduction of an online legal guidance service is considered a progressive move that caters to these critical scenarios. By ensuring legal assistance is readily available through the web, the bill promotes an equitable access to justice, regardless of an individual’s circumstance.
Another significant provision in the bill concerns the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK). According to the new bill, the functions of the YBGK will be integrated into the Legal Aid Department (JBG) which falls under the purview of the chief public defender’s office.
Moreover, the bill proposes for the government to settle all unpaid dues to legal practitioners for services rendered under the YBGK scheme. This stipulation enhances the bill’s consideration not only for those requiring legal aid but also for those providing it.
The new bill is set to annul the Legal Aid Act 1971 (Act 26). This is seen as a pivotal move in transforming the way legal aid services work within the criminal proceedings sector, by rebranding it as the public defence service.
The legislation’s approach to restructuring the legal aid system includes introducing new roles to enhance the system’s functionality and service delivery. For instance, it creates the positions of chief public defender and public defence officers.
The chief public defender’s role is a novel addition that brings about an enhanced structure and oversight within the legal aid system. Furthermore, by implementing the role of public defense officers, the bill acknowledges that the distribution of legal aid requires a dedicated cadre of professionals.
Through these positions, the bill aims to ensure effective service provision and a high degree of professionalism. This step simultaneously promotes the right to adequate legal representation and enhances accessibility, inclusivity, and efficiency in administering justice.
Overall, the Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill 2025 sets the stage for significant reform in the legal aid system. It provides a modern, cross-cutting, and inclusive strategy to justice that is attentive to the needs of all individuals involved, from clients to legal practitioners.
By incorporating digital solutions like online legal advice, upgrading role segregation, and expanding coverage of legal aid services, the bill underlines its aim to provide justice to all, without any discrimination or limitation.
The bill is not just an attempt at legal system modernization, but a commitment to ensure justice is versatile, accessible, and tailored to the contemporary needs. It recognizes that the right to legal assistance should not be bound by any limiting circumstances or contexts.
Steered by the motto of justice for all, the bill aspires to create a fair, efficient and universally accessible legal aid framework. The passage of the Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill 2025 thus represents a commendable move towards providing equitable access to justice in the country.