Latest news with #CorporateManslaughterAct
Malaysiakini
7 days ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Azalina says govt considering a Corporate Manslaughter Act
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said has announced that the government will consider implementing a Corporate Manslaughter Act. This would be implemented under Malaysia's newly launched National Action Plan (NAP) for Businesses and Human Rights 20225-2030, she said.
Malaysiakini
7 days ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Azalina says govt considering a Corporate Manslaughter Act
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said has announced that the government will consider implementing a Corporate Manslaughter Act. This would be implemented under Malaysia's newly launched National Action Plan (NAP) for Businesses and Human Rights 20225-2030, she said.
New Straits Times
12-08-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
New business-human rights plan paves way for corporate manslaughter, anti-SLAPP laws
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has launched its first National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR) 2025–2030, setting a national framework to integrate human rights into corporate governance. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said implementation of the plan would be phased, with potential future reforms including a Corporate Manslaughter Act, anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) legislation, and supply chain due diligence laws. "This milestone reflects our firm commitment to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and comes at a historic moment as Malaysia assumes the chairmanship of Asean," she said in her speech at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) today. Also present were her deputy M. Kulasegaran, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Md Yunus, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malaysia resident representative Edward Vrkić. "The success of this plan demands more than government effort, it requires shared ownership. "Businesses must measure success not only by profits, but by ethical conduct, sustainability, and respect for human rights," Azalina said. She said the Legal Affairs Division had led the initiative since Cabinet approval in 2019, engaging ministries, civil society, Indigenous communities, unions, and the private sector. The plan is anchored on three pillars, namely, labour, environment and governance, while tackling issues from forced labour and unsafe work to environmental accountability and regulatory reform.
BusinessToday
14-06-2025
- Politics
- BusinessToday
Bus Company Should Also Be Made Accountable For Tragedy, Law Minister Says
The company operating the bus involved in the Gerik-Jeli highway crash that killed 15 university students should also be held accountable, not just the driver, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Azalina stressed the need for broader legal accountability in fatal incidents, arguing that companies should no longer be able to deflect blame onto employees alone. 'Sometimes when a tragedy happens, the company just blames the driver. But who owns the vehicle? Who sets the operational standards? The company must be held responsible,' she said. Azalina pointed to the UK's Corporate Manslaughter Act as a possible model for Malaysia. If implemented, the proposed law would allow top-level executives including Chief Executive Officers, engineers and board members, to be prosecuted when systemic negligence leads to loss of life. 'This is what corporate manslaughter means. If a bridge collapses or a bus crashes, and the cause is poor maintenance or mismanagement, the whole organisation, not just the driver, should be held to account,' she said. Her remarks follow the court appearance of the bus driver, who was charged with dangerous driving after June 9's crash, which claimed the lives of students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. Azalina added that adopting such legislation would be a critical step toward strengthening corporate governance and delivering justice for victims, preventing companies from 'washing their hands' of responsibility. 'If we are serious about preventing future tragedies, we must make sure accountability starts at the top,' she said. Related
The Star
14-06-2025
- The Star
Gerik bus crash: Not just driver, bus company should also be held responsible, says Azalina
KOTA TINGGI: New laws, such as the Corporate Manslaughter Act adopted in the United Kingdom (UK) and proposed for introduction in Malaysia, would establish broader and proportionate liability to companies, not just individuals, accountable in cases of accidents or management negligence. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said that under the Act, the entire organisation, including managers, engineers, and board members, could be prosecuted if found to have failed in upholding proper safety and operational standards. "This is how it is, if a bridge collapses, or a bus accident occurs, it will not be just the engineer or driver who will be punished. If the punishment is hanging, the chief executive officer will also have to be hanged. "That is what corporate manslaughter means. Board members must also be held responsible," she told Bernama here on Saturday (June 14). ALSO READ: Gerik bus crash: Seven victims still undergoing treatment in hospital, says cops Azalina, who is the Pengerang Member of Parliament, told reporters this to see the progress of the repair work of the Felda Air Tawar 1 Bridge here. Repair work on the bridge is scheduled for completion in September this year. On Friday (June 13), the driver of the bus involved in Monday's (June 9) crash on the Gerik-Jeli East West Highway (JRTB) that resulted in the death of 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students was charged in court with dangerous driving. Azalina said such laws are crucial because, in many accident cases, companies tend to place the blame solely on the driver, although the vehicle and its operations are entirely under the company's responsibility. ALSO READ: Gerik crash bus driver out of hospital, in police custody "Sometimes when an accident occurs, companies do not want to admit their mistake. They say it was the driver's fault. But who did the driver work for? Under whom? The company must be held accountable and not simply wash their hands of responsibility,' she said. Azalina said that if the government is serious about strengthening accountability and corporate governance, it is time for Malaysia to consider such a bill to prevent a repeat of the tragedy and ensure justice for the victims. Earlier, Azalina also received her instrument of appointment as the Honorary Commissioner of the Civil Defence Force (APM) from APM Chief Commissioner Datuk Aminurrahim Mohamed, who also handed the instrument of appointment as Honorary Deputy Commissioner to the State Education and Information Committee chairman, Aznan Tamin and Penawar Assemblyman Fauziah Misri as Honorary Colonel. - Bernama
