Kuala lumpur: The government is considering the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Law to ensure greater coherence in the national legal ecosystem, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today. He highlighted that this initiative would also enable Malaysia to engage more meaningfully with regional partners in advancing the rule of law, particularly with ASEAN member states.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasized the importance of aligning with the best practices of neighboring countries to allow Malaysia to shape a more just and responsive regional order. Delivering the keynote address at the ASEAN Law Forum 2025, he underlined that Inclusivity and Sustainability have been adopted as Malaysia's central theme for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, stressing that inclusivity means the law must serve every person, community, and generation.
Anwar noted that justice must be felt in the lives of people, asserting that the law must empower and protect rather than intimidate or exclude. He also spoke on the significance of sustainability in building legal systems capable of withstanding the test of time, asserting that true governmental strength lies in the integrity of its institutions, fairness in governance, and the trust it earns from citizens.
Speaking on ASEAN's Vision 2045, Anwar stated that the rule of law must be the foundation of the journey, highlighting that a rules-based ASEAN is essential for trust, stability, and shared prosperity. He further conveyed that ASEAN unity does not require uniformity, as the region's diversity in legal traditions, cultural values, and historical experiences can enrich its members.
Anwar urged the regional grouping to enhance mutual legal assistance, improve dispute resolution mechanisms, and confront emerging challenges such as digital governance and artificial intelligence regulation. Citing recent border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, he mentioned Malaysia's mediation efforts, supported by ASEAN's collective will, which resulted in a ceasefire agreement.
Anwar praised ASEAN's approach to peace, characterized by quiet strength, consensus, and respect, emphasizing that this spirit should guide legal cooperation. He remarked that the mediation was a triumph of diplomacy and a reminder of ASEAN's ability to rise above division.
Additionally, Anwar announced that the forum would adopt a Joint Statement on legal cooperation, human rights, and sustainable development, led by Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. He stressed that translating aspiration into action is what truly matters, rather than merely crafting statements.
The three-day forum, held from August 19, gathered 58 speakers and moderators in 15 expert-led sessions, attended by over 300 participants from ASEAN and beyond. Discussions covered alternative dispute resolution, commercial law reforms, and business and human rights. The forum was organized by the Asian International Arbitration Centre in collaboration with the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department.