The government will offer free mediation for contract disputes under RM250,000, with the service expected to be available by May
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will offer a free mediation service for legal disputes involving all types of contracts valued under RM250,000.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the service is expected to be made available to the public by May.
She explained that those wishing to use the pro bono service must first submit their legal dispute to the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC).
“This assistance is provided considering that mediation under the current system can only take place after the parties involved in legal disputes have filed their cases in court,” she told reporters after attending the Artiste Symposium.
Azalina said the mediation process is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism introduced under the Legal Aid and Public Defence Bill 2025.
She described the approach as faster, more flexible and cost-effective compared to litigation.
It offers significant benefits to all parties, including artistes facing contractual, copyright or commercial disputes without high legal costs.
Azalina said this aligns with the government’s stance that access to justice is for all Malaysians.
Meanwhile, she said the number of bankruptcy cases discharged in 2025 had exceeded the target, totalling 204,000 cases.
This figure marks an increase from the 176,000 bankruptcy cases discharged in 2024.
