Negeri sembilan: The Legal Aid Department is stepping up efforts to reach both urban and rural communities through its 'Justice on Wheels' mobile initiative, aimed at raising awareness of legal rights and available aid services.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the department's deputy director-general, Arleen Ramly, emphasized that the initiative adopts a proactive approach to broaden access to justice, particularly for communities facing geographical and financial barriers to legal assistance. "This effort ensures no one is left behind in accessing justice. Through 'Justice on Wheels', communities can obtain a range of services including legal advice, litigation, mediation, and legal representation support," she stated.
Members of the public can also access information via the department's official portal or engage through a chatbox service for preliminary guidance before receiving further assistance. Arleen made these comments during a briefing on the 'Justice on Wheels' and Influencer@JAPEN initiatives held in collaboration with the Negeri Sembilan Department of Information (JAPEN) at Wisma Persekutuan. State JAPEN director Supian Musa was also present at the briefing.
Statistics from Negeri Sembilan show that the Legal Aid Department delivered 1,795 advisory services last year, alongside 565 litigation cases, 417 mediation cases, and nine instances of legal representation support. Arleen further explained that following the enforcement of the Legal Aid and Public Defence Act 2026 (Act 878), the department will provide public defence services in criminal and syariah criminal cases, including appointing panel lawyers to represent accused persons.
The implementation of Act 878 is set to allow the department to assume and strengthen public defence functions previously managed by the National Legal Aid Foundation, thereby expanding access to legal assistance nationwide. Meanwhile, Supian Musa highlighted the collaboration between JAPEN and the Legal Aid Department, aiming to brief civil servants at federal agencies on the role and services of legal aid.
He mentioned that the Influencer@JAPEN initiative, delivered via the multi-purpose vehicle platform known as JAPEN Arena Penggerak Komuniti (JAGO) alongside the 'Justice on Wheels' van, enables more effective and comprehensive dissemination of legal information to the public. "JAPEN is also using this platform to explain developments surrounding the West Asia crisis and the government's response, while educating the public on identifying and countering misinformation," he added.