Kota Kinabalu: East Malaysians are urged to speak up and shape the future of Malaysia’s criminal justice system during a special townhall session held here on Monday.
Chairman of the Criminal Law Reform Committee (CLRC) Tan Sri Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal said the session was part of efforts to review and reform three key laws including the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the Evidence Act.
“This is your opportunity to tell us what works and what doesn’t,” Harmindar said, a former Federal Court judge.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});He stressed that the voices of East Malaysians are vital to ensure that reforms are inclusive, practical and reflect the experiences of people across the country.
“The law affects everyone. That’s why it’s important the public, not just experts or officials, have a say. Reform must reflect real needs and realities on the ground,” he said.
He noted that a similar townhall was recently held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), which attracted over 150 participants.
He emphasised that feedback would also be gathered through an online form open to all Malaysians and that subcommittees supported by researchers would be formed to study areas where fast improvements could be made.
“We’re not here to politicise the law. We’re here to make sure it serves justice, is rational, and is in line with the times,” he said.
He encouraged participants to be honest and bold in sharing their views, even if they challenge existing laws.
Meanwhile, Director General of the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) Datuk Zamri Misman revealed that the Government had tasked BHEUU to lead the introduction of Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPA) into Malaysia’s legal system.
He said this new mechanism, which would be included through amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, aims to provide an alternative route for prosecuting certain offences particularly involving corporate crime or financial misconduct.
“This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Attorney General’s Chambers, MACC, Inland Revenue Board and Customs,” he said.
Zamri said the townhall was also a platform to seek early input from enforcement agencies and legal practitioners on the feasibility and operational aspects of implementing DPA.
Also present were representatives from State Prosecution Office, Prisons Department, Department of Social Welfare, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), Sabah Law Society, the police and NGOs.
“Our reform process is meant to be inclusive and grounded in reality. We want the new policies to improve access to justice in a fair and equitable way,” he said.
He hoped that the discussions would help shape a more progressive and just criminal justice system for all Malaysians.
