Latest news with #WhistleblowerProtection(Amendment)Act
New Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Over 3,000 laws reviewed, only 164 pending, says Azalina
PUTRAJAYA: The government has reviewed over 3,000 outdated laws, with only 164 still undergoing technical revision by the Attorney-General's Chambers (A-GC). Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said that several of these outdated laws were enacted before Malaysia's Independence, with some predating it by many years. "However, the ongoing reform efforts are primarily centred on criminal and contract legislation," she said. As an example, she cited the application of laws relating to digital signatures, underscoring the need for contract legislation to remain current. "Certain existing contractual provisions do not sufficiently address this issue. We are in the process of reviewing them," she added. Several key bills are expected to be tabled during the next Dewan Rakyat sitting in June. These include the Cross-Border Insolvency Act 2025, the Legal Aid and Public Defence Act 2025 — which will repeal the 1971 Act — the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Act, and the Mediation (Amendment) Act 2025. Meanwhile, Azalina said that the proposed political funding legislation remains under review. She said her department was currently awaiting feedback from political parties, although some had already responded positively.
New Straits Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Bill to address delays in cases involving protected witnesses
KUALA LUMPUR: The Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Act will be among the bills to be tabled at the upcoming Dewan Rakyat session. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the amendment aims to strengthen protection mechanisms and ensure swift case resolutions involving key witnesses. Azalina said this was to avoid prolonged delays in cases involving protected witnesses. "There have been cases where witnesses under protection were kept for years without their cases being concluded. This is something with which I disagree. "If someone is granted witness protection, it should be our priority to resolve the case as soon as possible. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to categorise them under protection for an extended period," she said. Azalina added that two other bills will also be tabled, relating to legal aid and the other on cross-border insolvency. "The Legal Aid Bill is aimed at ensuring vulnerable groups receive the legal support they need, while the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill will address issues of abandoned assets involving foreign entities." She added that the proposed insolvency law was part of Malaysia's effort to cooperate more effectively with Asean countries in managing corporate bankruptcies involving cross-border assets. "I've visited several Asean countries to meet with their law ministers, and the responses have been positive.
