Kota Kinabalu: As part of Saturday’s launch, six former bankrupts were officially discharged and presented with certificates from the Director-General of Insolvency.
Kula said the event reflected the success of the Madani Government’s Second Chance Policy, which aimed to help individuals rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.
He said between 2023 and July this year, the Malaysian Department of Insolvency (MDI) in Sabah discharged 4,104 bankruptcy cases, with another 480 targeted for release by year-end.
Nationally, 187,652 individuals have been freed since March 2023, putting the Government on track to reach its target of 200,000 by December.
“This does not mean people are released without paying their debts. There are regulations and conditions. But many who went bankrupt were young people who unknowingly became guarantors. We want to give them a chance to live a normal life,” he said.
Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin, who is also Kota Kinabalu MP, He said the mobile legal aid vans, specially refitted according to the needs of the Legal Aid Department (JBG), reflected the Government’s determination to ensure that justice is accessible regardless of distance or difficulty.
“The JoW initiative means that people living in the interior can obtain legal assistance without the need to travel far. It is in line with JBG’s motto, ‘yang jauh didekati, yang sulit disantuni’.” Chan said the first JoW van in Sabah was launched at Kampung Madsiang, Penampang, on Jan. 25, 2024, followed by the Semenanjung van in Putrajaya on April 23, 2024 and the Sarawak van in Kuching on May 20, 2024.
He added that in 2024 alone, JBG had carried out 28 JoW programmes nationwide, including in five districts in Sabah namely Pitas, Tongod, Papar, Sipitang and Paitan.
For 2025, Chan said, the Northern Borneo JoW tour had already covered Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Beaufort, Tuaran and Putatan before arriving in Kota Kinabalu.
During each programme, he said, members of the public could seek advice directly from JBG officers.
The process was similar to that in legal aid clinics, where clients first filled in a consultation form before meeting the officer on duty inside the mobile van.
