Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasized the importance of continuous reform within the legal system and judiciary, which he described as the cornerstones of a free, independent, and democratic nation. He highlighted the necessity for all parties to uphold the principle of separation of powers and recognize the need to end the era of arrogance in both the executive and judiciary branches.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister Anwar shared insights from experiences in ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, where political power's arrogance has previously undermined the legal system. He noted that such issues also emerged in the judiciary due to allegations of corruption, arrogance, and irregularities.

The Prime Minister delivered these remarks during his keynote address at the ASEAN Law Forum 2025 closing ceremony. The forum, themed "Enhancing Access to Justice in the ASEAN Economic Community: Bridging Legal Cooperation for Inclusive Growth," also saw the attendance of Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Deputy Minister M. Kulasegaran, and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn.

Anwar further mentioned that the MADANI government is fully backing reform efforts led by Azalina, in conjunction with the Attorney General's Chambers, aimed at bolstering the integrity of Malaysia's legal system. He noted that Minister Azalina's dedication to reform is marked by strong spirit and determination, especially during her meetings with other ministers.

The forum spanned three days and featured 58 speakers and moderators across 15 expert-led sessions. It attracted over 300 participants from ASEAN and beyond, who engaged in discussions on a range of topics including alternative dispute resolution, commercial law reform, as well as business relations and human rights.