Kota Kinabalu: Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the Justice on Wheels (JoW) initiative demonstrates the Madani Government’s resolve to ensure equal access to justice, especially for communities in rural and remote areas.
Speaking when officiating the programme at Dewan Sri Putatan on Tuesday, she said the mobile legal clinic run by the Legal Aid Department (JBG) uses specially modified vans to deliver free legal services, in line with JBG’s motto “Yang jauh didekati, Yang dekat disantuni.”“Justice must reach everyone, not only those who can afford lawyers or live in towns.
“Through JoW, we go to the ground, explain rights and provide free advice so that no one is left behind,” she said.
Azalina said the newly-tabled Legal Aid and Public Defender Bill 2025, which replaces the 54-year-old Legal Aid Act, will expand services to cover criminal, civil and syariah cases, mediation, digital access and legal companions for children.
She said the Bill also reflects the Government’s concern for vulnerable groups, including workers with low incomes and consumers, by strengthening legal aid provisions to cover labour disputes and consumer claims.
“No child should face the justice system alone. Under the new law, all children involved in criminal cases will be provided legal assistance automatically,” she said.
So far, six JoW programmes have been carried out across Sabah, including Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Beaufort, Tuaran and Putatan, with more expected nationwide following allocations under Budget 2023.
Petagas Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Ag Sahari welcomed the initiative, describing it as a meaningful effort that allows Sabahans to access legal aid without the burden of high costs.
“Many cases in Sabah require legal representation, but the cost is too expensive for most families.
With JoW, people here are not left behind as the service also covers Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Ahmad Sah urged Putatan residents to take advantage of the programme, which brings legal advice directly to the community through mobile vans staffed by JBG officers.
Speaking to the media, Azalina highlighted the importance of raising public awareness of legal rights, saying good laws alone were not enough without proper understanding.
“Good laws mean nothing if people don’t know their rights.
“That’s why JoW is important, it explains what’s available and helps people understand the law,” she said.
She also called for wider use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation and arbitration to reduce court backlogs and offer faster, less costly outcomes.
Asked about emerging challenges, she acknowledged the growing risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in legal processes, particularly in relation to evidence and identity.
“AI can look like you, sound like you, but it’s not you.
“This raises serious questions about proof and admissibility in court,” she said, adding that her Ministry would work with the Digital Ministry to examine the issue.
Azalina said JoW is part of the Government’s broader reform agenda to ensure justice is not only accessible but also understood by all Malaysians.
Also present were Legal Aid Department Director-General Datuk Norazmi Mohd Narawi, Legal Affairs Division Director-General Datuk Zamri Misman, Sabah JBG Director Herlina Muse, Penampang District Police Chief Supt Sammy Newton, Putatan District Officer Masawi Salleh, Sabah Insolvency Department Director Stephanie Sherron Abbie, Penampang District Education Officer Rusmadi Ahmad and Petagas Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah.
Speaking when officiating the programme at Dewan Sri Putatan on Tuesday, she said the mobile legal clinic run by the Legal Aid Department (JBG) uses specially modified vans to deliver free legal services, in line with JBG’s motto “Yang jauh didekati, Yang dekat disantuni.”“Justice must reach everyone, not only those who can afford lawyers or live in towns.
“Through JoW, we go to the ground, explain rights and provide free advice so that no one is left behind,” she said.
Azalina said the newly-tabled Legal Aid and Public Defender Bill 2025, which replaces the 54-year-old Legal Aid Act, will expand services to cover criminal, civil and syariah cases, mediation, digital access and legal companions for children.
She said the Bill also reflects the Government’s concern for vulnerable groups, including workers with low incomes and consumers, by strengthening legal aid provisions to cover labour disputes and consumer claims.
“No child should face the justice system alone. Under the new law, all children involved in criminal cases will be provided legal assistance automatically,” she said.
So far, six JoW programmes have been carried out across Sabah, including Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Beaufort, Tuaran and Putatan, with more expected nationwide following allocations under Budget 2023.
Petagas Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Ag Sahari welcomed the initiative, describing it as a meaningful effort that allows Sabahans to access legal aid without the burden of high costs.
“Many cases in Sabah require legal representation, but the cost is too expensive for most families.
With JoW, people here are not left behind as the service also covers Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Ahmad Sah urged Putatan residents to take advantage of the programme, which brings legal advice directly to the community through mobile vans staffed by JBG officers.
Speaking to the media, Azalina highlighted the importance of raising public awareness of legal rights, saying good laws alone were not enough without proper understanding.
“Good laws mean nothing if people don’t know their rights.
“That’s why JoW is important, it explains what’s available and helps people understand the law,” she said.
She also called for wider use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation and arbitration to reduce court backlogs and offer faster, less costly outcomes.
Asked about emerging challenges, she acknowledged the growing risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in legal processes, particularly in relation to evidence and identity.
“AI can look like you, sound like you, but it’s not you.
“This raises serious questions about proof and admissibility in court,” she said, adding that her Ministry would work with the Digital Ministry to examine the issue.
Azalina said JoW is part of the Government’s broader reform agenda to ensure justice is not only accessible but also understood by all Malaysians.
Also present were Legal Aid Department Director-General Datuk Norazmi Mohd Narawi, Legal Affairs Division Director-General Datuk Zamri Misman, Sabah JBG Director Herlina Muse, Penampang District Police Chief Supt Sammy Newton, Putatan District Officer Masawi Salleh, Sabah Insolvency Department Director Stephanie Sherron Abbie, Penampang District Education Officer Rusmadi Ahmad and Petagas Assemblyman Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah.