Justice on Wheels programme will deliver mobile legal aid directly to rural and remote communities, aligning with the Malaysia MADANI principle of Ihsan.
PUTRAJAYA: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said declared the Justice on Wheels initiative a perfectly timed effort to strengthen public access to justice through the core MADANI principle of Ihsan.
She stated that the initiative aims to assist the Legal Aid Department at the state level in delivering direct services to communities, particularly those in rural, remote, and low-income areas.
Azalina believes this strategic move will significantly expand access to legal services, fulfilling the government’s commitment to making justice more inclusive and accessible to all Malaysians.
“The timing is perfect, given the challenges currently facing the world, as the MADANI government has been mindful in its preparations by anticipating greater challenges for the people,” she said during a ceremony in Putrajaya.
She explained that the Justice on Wheels programme is a mobile van service designed to provide direct legal advice and assistance, especially in areas with limited access to government offices.
Services offered from the modified vans will include free legal advice, legal aid applications, and legal education and awareness programmes.
Azalina emphasised that this approach is essential to ensure people no longer have to rely solely on visiting physical government offices to obtain crucial legal assistance.
Detailing the operational scope, she said the service can be expanded to operate after office hours, on public holidays, and at the district level with the involvement of elected representatives.
“If possible, I want these vans to reach every parliamentary constituency as a starting point, before expanding to the district level,” said the Pengerang MP.
She stressed that delivering legal services is the priority, noting that it does not matter whether a constituency is held by the opposition or the government.
The launch of 11 new Justice on Wheels vans provides the Legal Aid Department with the confidence to roll out the programme more effectively across the nation.
This expansion aligns with the MADANI government’s vision of fostering a justice system that is genuinely people-centred and accessible to all.