Latest news with #PoliticalFundingBill
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Govt mulling specific laws to tackle AI legal challenges, says Azalina
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will examine the need for specific laws on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in light of emerging legal challenges. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said ( pic ) said the current legal system needs to be upgraded, as AI-related laws require different approaches, including burden of proof, authenticity and document integrity. "Right now, whatever you say, every document is online, and because it's online you can fabricate any content," she told a press conference after launching the Malaysia National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR) 2025-2030 at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) here on Tuesday (Aug 12). She said courts must be confident in accepting AI-based evidence, as the technology can produce visuals or audio resembling individuals, but do not exist in reality, adding that the matter requires serious consideration to protect the public from fraud or manipulation. Commenting on the progress of the Political Funding Bill, she said it is still in process and subject to the agreement of political parties. "We have three Parliament sessions in a year… it (bill) is still in process," she said. On the issue of employers retaining workers' passports, Azalina stressed that such action is prohibited under Malaysian law. "You have to be fair to your workers and return the passport," she said, emphasising that Malaysia respects the human rights of all workers, including foreign workers from ASEAN countries, and must not act aggressively or unlawfully against them. Earlier in her keynote address, Azalina said the launch of the NAPBHR 2025-2030 marked Malaysia's first national framework to integrate human rights into business and corporate governance. She said the plan reflected Malaysia's commitment to the United Nations Guiding Principles as the country assumes the Asean Chairmanship. "The success of this plan demands more than government effort; it requires shared ownership," she said. The NAPBHR focuses on labour, environment and governance, and was developed through consultations since 2019 with ministries, agencies, civil society, business leaders, Indigenous communities, unions and academics. - Bernama
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia considers new AI laws to address emerging legal issues
KUALA LUMPUR: The government is evaluating the necessity of enacting dedicated laws to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) amid growing legal complexities. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said highlighted the need to modernise the legal framework to address AI-specific concerns such as evidence authenticity and document integrity. 'Right now, whatever you say, every document is online, and because it's online you can fabricate any content,' she said during a press conference after launching the Malaysia National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR) 2025-2030. Azalina stressed that courts must adapt to handle AI-generated evidence, which can produce realistic but fabricated visuals or audio, posing risks of fraud and manipulation. Regarding the Political Funding Bill, she confirmed it remains under discussion and subject to political consensus. 'We have three Parliament sessions in a year... it (bill) is still in process,' she said. On labour rights, Azalina reiterated that retaining workers' passports is illegal under Malaysian law, urging employers to treat all workers fairly, including foreign employees from ASEAN nations. The newly launched NAPBHR 2025-2030 represents Malaysia's first national effort to embed human rights into business practices, aligning with the United Nations Guiding Principles. Developed through multi-stakeholder consultations since 2019, the plan prioritises labour, environmental, and governance reforms. 'The success of this plan demands more than government effort; it requires shared ownership,' Azalina added. – Bernama
Daily Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Azalina: Sulu claim heads to Paris court July 7 as Malaysia fights US$14.9 billion arbitration ruling
Published on: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Published on: Wed, Apr 30, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said speaks to reporters during the Political Funding Bill briefing at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) in Kuala Lumpur March 6, 2025. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa Kuala Lumpur: The next proceedings in the case involving the Sulu group's claim are scheduled to be heard at the Paris Court of Appeal on July 7, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. She said the hearing would see the French judiciary examine the validity of the arbitration award imposed on Malaysia as well as various related legal aspects. 'Malaysia will continue to exhaust all efforts, rights and available resources to protect the country's sovereign immunity and interests, and to bring to a close the baseless fraud case by the Sulu group. 'Several recent rulings in Malaysia's favour have significantly strengthened Malaysia's legal position and sovereignty as an independent nation,' she said in a statement today. She added that among these decisions were the French Court of Cassation's cancellation of the recognition of the preliminary award, the Dutch Supreme Court's rejection of the final award, and the French Court of Appeal's criminal conviction of arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa for contempt of court. Azalina said the Sulu group's claim had challenged the limits of Malaysia's sovereign immunity, exposing how third-party funding was misused to prolong baseless claims against Malaysia through highly deceptive means, while also revealing attempts by private arbitration tribunals to seize government assets. Currently on a working visit to Europe, Azalina also met with the legal team representing Malaysia in Paris to continue strategising and receive updates on the ongoing Sulu claim case. Previously, eight Filipino nationals claiming to be heirs of the now-defunct Sulu Sultanate filed arbitration proceedings in Spain to demand billions of US dollars from Malaysia over issues involving Sabah. In March 2019, a court in Madrid appointed Stampa as the arbitrator for the case. On Feb 28, 2022, Stampa ruled in favour of the group and issued a Final Award of USD14.9 billion through an unlawful arbitration process, despite his appointment having already been annulled by a Spanish court. Malaysia has since secured a series of legal victories in the case, including in November last year, when the French Supreme Court fully rejected the group's legal challenge. That historic win for Malaysia meant the original basis for the Final Award — which required Malaysia to pay USD14.9 billion in compensation — was not recognised under French law. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
