Latest news with #NationalLegalAcademy
The Sun
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia needs comprehensive AI-focused laws
BANGI: Malaysia must introduce dedicated legislation to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and mitigate its associated risks, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said yesterday. Speaking after her ministry's monthly assembly and the launch of the National Legal Academy, Azalina confirmed she had formally written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to initiate discussions on developing AI-specific laws. 'I've proposed a meeting between the Legal Affairs Division and the Digital Ministry to explore a legislative framework for AI,' she said. Azalina stressed that AI operates on a fundamentally different paradigm from conventional technologies and cannot be governed under existing legal frameworks. She pointed to the European Union's AI Act – the world's first comprehensive AI legislation – as a model Malaysia could study and adapt to local needs. 'We must look at global frameworks like the EU's AI Act, which categorises risks and defines responsibilities, to see how they can inform Malaysia's approach,' she said. She also highlighted broader efforts to digitise the judicial system, including the use of voice-to-text transcription and online filing, noting that such systems must extend beyond Putrajaya to district courts nationwide. Gobind had earlier announced that a detailed proposal on Malaysia's AI regulatory roadmap, currently being finalised by the National Artificial Intelligence Office, would be ready by the end of June. The roadmap may include new legislation, regulatory rules or standard-setting frameworks. Azalina also called for stronger corporate accountability laws, citing the recent fatal bus crash in Gerik that claimed 15 lives. 'We need serious policy discussions around corporate negligence and potential laws on corporate manslaughter, especially when public safety is compromised,' she said. Separately, she confirmed that the Online Safety Act 2024 – which has been gazetted – is awaiting its enforcement date. The Act will come into effect once Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil signs the enforcement order. Once in force, the law will allow for immediate regulatory action against harmful online content and introduce a statutory duty of care on platform providers. An online safety committee will also be formed to define and classify online harms, although child-related matters will remain governed under the Child Act 2001. Azalina confirmed she had formally written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to initiate discussions on developing AI-specific laws. – Amirul Syafiq/theSun
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Azalina urges AI laws, cites EU model as reference
BANGI: Malaysia must introduce dedicated legislation to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and mitigate its associated risks, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said yesterday. Speaking after her ministry's monthly assembly and the launch of the National Legal Academy, Azalina confirmed she had formally written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to initiate discussions on developing AI-specific laws. 'I've proposed a meeting between the Legal Affairs Division and the Digital Ministry to explore a legislative framework for AI,' she said. Azalina stressed that AI operates on a fundamentally different paradigm from conventional technologies and cannot be governed under existing legal frameworks. She pointed to the European Union's AI Act – the world's first comprehensive AI legislation – as a model Malaysia could study and adapt to local needs. 'We must look at global frameworks like the EU's AI Act, which categorises risks and defines responsibilities, to see how they can inform Malaysia's approach,' she said. She also highlighted broader efforts to digitise the judicial system, including the use of voice-to-text transcription and online filing, noting that such systems must extend beyond Putrajaya to district courts nationwide. Gobind had earlier announced that a detailed proposal on Malaysia's AI regulatory roadmap, currently being finalised by the National Artificial Intelligence Office, would be ready by the end of June. The roadmap may include new legislation, regulatory rules or standard-setting frameworks. Azalina also called for stronger corporate accountability laws, citing the recent fatal bus crash in Gerik that claimed 15 lives. 'We need serious policy discussions around corporate negligence and potential laws on corporate manslaughter, especially when public safety is compromised,' she said. Separately, she confirmed that the Online Safety Act 2024 – which has been gazetted – is awaiting its enforcement date. The Act will come into effect once Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil signs the enforcement order. Once in force, the law will allow for immediate regulatory action against harmful online content and introduce a statutory duty of care on platform providers. An online safety committee will also be formed to define and classify online harms, although child-related matters will remain governed under the Child Act 2001. Azalina confirmed she had formally written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo to initiate discussions on developing AI-specific laws. – Amirul Syafiq/theSun
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
National Legal Academy (APN) launched to drive legal reform
BANGI: The National Legal Academy (APN) was officially launched today by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said — a landmark development in Malaysia's ongoing legal reform initiatives. Previously known as ILKAP, the Academy has been renamed and restructured to support institutional reform and promote legal literacy across all government agencies. 'New laws must come with understanding. That's why APN will lead legal training and capacity-building efforts,' said Azalina. One of the Academy's key priorities moving forward is the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which offers more affordable and accessible avenues for resolving conflicts outside of traditional courts. 'Justice should be affordable and accessible — not every case needs to end up in court,' she said. 'ADR can ease the burden on the judiciary and provide fair solutions, especially for community and family-related disputes.' Azalina acknowledged that while the government could appoint more judges and establish more courts, the legal process still demands time and careful handling. 'You cannot rush justice. But with ADR — through mediation and arbitration — we can deliver justice that is quicker and easier to access.' She also outlined plans for collaboration with international organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the strengthening of local mediation institutions like Pusat Mediasi Madani. 'Access to justice means giving Malaysians fair platforms to assert their rights — not just in courtrooms,' she said. Looking ahead, Azalina expressed hope that significant reforms led by the Legal Affairs, Institutional Reform and Policy Development Division will be implemented before the upcoming 16th General Election, with the aim of ensuring greater legal protection for the public.
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
APN launched to drive legal reform
BANGI: The National Legal Academy (APN) was officially launched today by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said — a landmark development in Malaysia's ongoing legal reform initiatives. Previously known as ILKAP, the Academy has been renamed and restructured to support institutional reform and promote legal literacy across all government agencies. 'New laws must come with understanding. That's why APN will lead legal training and capacity-building efforts,' said Azalina. One of the Academy's key priorities moving forward is the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which offers more affordable and accessible avenues for resolving conflicts outside of traditional courts. 'Justice should be affordable and accessible — not every case needs to end up in court,' she said. 'ADR can ease the burden on the judiciary and provide fair solutions, especially for community and family-related disputes.' Azalina acknowledged that while the government could appoint more judges and establish more courts, the legal process still demands time and careful handling. 'You cannot rush justice. But with ADR — through mediation and arbitration — we can deliver justice that is quicker and easier to access.' She also outlined plans for collaboration with international organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the strengthening of local mediation institutions like Pusat Mediasi Madani. 'Access to justice means giving Malaysians fair platforms to assert their rights — not just in courtrooms,' she said. Looking ahead, Azalina expressed hope that significant reforms led by the Legal Affairs, Institutional Reform and Policy Development Division will be implemented before the upcoming 16th General Election, with the aim of ensuring greater legal protection for the public.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Azalina: Malaysia needs AI law to counter emerging threats
BANGI: Malaysia needs a new artificial intelligence law in light of emerging threats, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. The minister in the prime minister's department (law and institutional reform) said she has written to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo on the need to look into AI laws. "The biggest challenge is the issue of AI when they are using certain formats. So that's why I have written to the digital minister to look into more AI laws and related things for our country. "There should be a joint committee between the Legal Affairs Division and the Digital Ministry on laws on AI," she told reporters after launching the National Legal Academy here today. Azalina said the only detailed AI legislation that exists in the world today is the European Union AI Act. She said the country would have to study the AI law, among others, to see how it could be used in the Malaysian context. On the Legal Affairs Division's part, she said they have different committees chaired by seasoned and retired judges, looking into various situations as the world is shifting towards a different platform. "One of the issues that we have today is that we want to digitalise the court. Now we have the voice-to-text system, and then we have a lot of online systems. "What we want is for the court to be more efficient," she said. Earlier this month, Gobind was reported to have said that a full report related to regulatory proposals and the possible drafting of specific laws for AI is in the works. He had said the report is currently being finalised by the National AI Office (NAIO), which was established by the Digital Ministry last year.
