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Committee Objectives:

(1)		To examine the provisions of statutes, regulations and legislations affecting the everyday life of ordinary Malaysians;
(2)		To suggest amendments to these laws and to address problems faced by the masses pertaining to these laws; and
(3)		To liaise and assist other Bar Council committees in relation to law reforms affecting the respective committees’ areas of work.

The Committee had met four times as at the writing of this report.

(1)    Sub-Committee on Labour Laws
A Sub-Committee on Labour Laws was set up to study the relevant labour laws and to propose amendments (if any) to the Ministry of Human Resources.  At its first meeting on 17 June 2009, six working groups (WGs) were formed to study the various labour law statutes, identify provisions that require reform and prepare a working paper with their proposed reforms.  The WGs met on 4 Sept 2009 to confirm the members, terms of reference and time frame to prepare their working papers.  Members of the Bar, Union representatives and civil society attended this meeting.

(2)    Sub-Committee on Civil Law Act
The Sub-Committee was formed to review the Bar Council’s “Memorandum Relating to Proposed Amendments to the Civil Law Act”, which the Committee had prepared n March 2000.  The Sub-Committee had its first meeting on 3 July 2009.

(3)    Roundtable Discussion on Person With Disabilities Act – Right to Education
The above roundtable discussion was organised on 7 Sept 2009.  30 people attended, including representatives from the Ministry of Human Resources, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development, various organisations for persons with special needs, university representatives and academicians, and Members of the Bar.

The objectives of the roundtable event were to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the policies of the various government agencies in relation to access to education and education enablement for persons with special needs and to promote an effective regulatory and policy framework in realising the educational rights of persons with special needs.

(4)    Public Forum on Local Government Elections
The Committee organised a public forum on “Local Government Elections: Now, Later or Never?” on 10 Oct 2009 to discuss the following:
(a) Losing the third vote: A critical appreciation of the political landscape of the 1960s;
(b) Local government elections by individual states: Are there legal barriers?; and
(c) Will elected local councillors do a better job?

Speakers from the government, opposition, current Councillors and academicians were  invited to present their views on the issue.  The event was held from 8 am until 2 pm at the Bar Council Auditorium.

(5)    Roundtable Discussion on Creating a Law Commission of Malaysia
The Committee will organise a roundtable discussion on the need to establish an independent law revision commission which would accept suggestions for revision to the statutes from interested parties, legislators, the members of the legal community and the public.  Scheduled for 19 Nov 2009, the discussion will focus on the constitution and the structure of a permanent law revision commission, which would draft and recommend laws for the legislature’s consideration.


Dato’ M Ramachelvam
Chairperson
Law Reform and Special Areas Committee

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Chairperson	:	Dato’ M Ramachelvam
Deputy Chairperson	:	Hon Kai Ping
		Kanarasan G
Members	:	Helen Chin Lee Min
		Honey Tan
		Jeyaseelen Anthony
		Lee Swee Seng
		Maureen Ong Swee Kin
		Ravi Nekoo
		Serene Ong Si-Oui
		Silva Velu
Officer	:	Sumitha Shaanthinni