Bar Council welcomes Law Reform Commission
Published: Dec 14, 2011 4:21 AM | Updated: Dec 14, 2011 4:26 AM
The Malaysian Bar today welcomed the proposed establishment of an independent law reform commission to make the process of formulating legislation equitable, modern, fair and efficient.
The Malaysian Bar today welcomed the proposed establishment of an independent law reform commission to make the process of formulating legislation equitable, modern, fair and efficient.
"The Malaysian Bar has called, for some time, for the establishment of an independent law reform commission to undertake research, public consultations and legal policy development, and make recommendations to the Parliament, without fear or favour," its president Lim Chee Wee said in a statement.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Liew Vui Keong, made the announcement in the Dewan Negara last week, while debating the abolition of the Banishment Act 1933 and Restricted Residence Act 1957.
The Bar praised the deputy minister's admission that law reforms were needed in Malaysia, which is one of the largest Commonwealth countries without a law commission and faces existing problems in the legislation drafting process.
"Malaysia only needs to look to the New South Wales Law Commission in Australia, the Australian Law Reform Commission and the English Law Commission for model legislation and set-up," Lim pointed out.
The council, which represents legal professionals in the country, also welcomed the proposal for the commission to be composed of retired and serving judges, lawyers, legal experts and prominent members of civil society.
Lim said he would also hold Liew to his word that the proposed commission would be different from the existing Malaysian Law Reform Committee (MLRC), which was far from independent from executive interference.
He added that he hoped the commission would also not be just another "feel good" announcement and pledged the Bar's support if it was a sincere initiative.
"The Malaysian Bar has called, for some time, for the establishment of an independent law reform commission to undertake research, public consultations and legal policy development, and make recommendations to the Parliament, without fear or favour," its president Lim Chee Wee said in a statement.Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Liew Vui Keong, made the announcement in the Dewan Negara last week, while debating the abolition of the Banishment Act 1933 and Restricted Residence Act 1957.
The Bar praised the deputy minister's admission that law reforms were needed in Malaysia, which is one of the largest Commonwealth countries without a law commission and faces existing problems in the legislation drafting process.
"Malaysia only needs to look to the New South Wales Law Commission in Australia, the Australian Law Reform Commission and the English Law Commission for model legislation and set-up," Lim pointed out.
The council, which represents legal professionals in the country, also welcomed the proposal for the commission to be composed of retired and serving judges, lawyers, legal experts and prominent members of civil society.
Lim said he would also hold Liew to his word that the proposed commission would be different from the existing Malaysian Law Reform Committee (MLRC), which was far from independent from executive interference.
He added that he hoped the commission would also not be just another "feel good" announcement and pledged the Bar's support if it was a sincere initiative.
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