KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar said an independent law reform commission should be set up to undertake research, legal policy development and make recommendations to Parliament without fear or favour.
“This law reform commission will be able to undertake the public consultation process in a simple, understandable and methodical manner,” said Malaysian Bar president Lim Chee Wee.
He was referring to yesterday's report that government departments and agencies must now seek public opinion before proposing draft amendments to existing laws or introducing new Bills.
Lauding the move, Lim said such a step would avoid situations where the public only learnt about new laws or amendments after they are introduced in Parliament and passed.
Asli Centre for Public Policy Studies chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said the move showed that the Government had learnt its lesson from the negative reaction to amendments to the Evidence Act.
“The move will enhance transparency and the integrity of the Federal Constitution,” said Ramon, who is also a former Transparency International Malaysia president.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung, who is a qualified lawyer, said consultation must be held with affected stakeholders first before proposed amendments or new laws are tabled.
“This has always been the modus operandi of my ministry,” he said.
In SEREMBAN, Cuepacs president Datuk Omar Osman said the move was timely but suggested relevant stakeholders discuss the proposed changes thoroughly before any public opinion was sought.
Citing an example, he said the Public Service Commission and the Public Service Department should discuss changes in rules for civil servants with Cuepacs, the umbrella body for public sector unions, and the Joint Consultative Council before they are announced.
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8th LAWASIA Employment Law Conference, Cambodia (24 and 25 May 2013) Organised by The Law Association for Asia and the Pacific (“LAWASIA”), this conference featuring Lia Alizia and Brian Williamson, will be held at Tara Angkor Hotel, Vithei Charles de Gaulle, Siem Reap, Cambodia, at 8:45 am to 7:00 pm and 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, on 24 and 25 May 2013 (Friday and Saturday), respectively. The conference carries 10 CPD points. Click on the link above for more details.
MSLSSL and MCLJ Conference on Employment and Labour Laws 2013 (30 May 2013) Organised by the Malaysian Society for Labour and Social Security Law and Malaysian Current Law Journal, this conference entitled “Current Issues on Employment and Labour Laws” will be held at 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, on 30 May 2013 (Thursday). The conference carries six CPD points. Click on the link above for more details.
International Arbitration Conference by CIArb Malaysia (22 to 24 Aug 2013) Organised by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, this conference will be held at Eastern & Oriental Hotel, 10 Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 George Town, Penang, from 22 to 24 Aug 2013 (Thursday to Saturday). The conference carries 10 CPD points. Early-bird rate ends on 30 Apr 2013. Click on the link above for more details.
“Transforming Criminal Justice” One-week Study Programme (25 to 29 Nov 2013) Organised by Public Administration International (“PAI”), this UK-based one-week study programme entitled “Transforming Criminal Justice: from Joined-up Justice to Multi-agency Approaches” will be held in London from 25 to 29 Nov 2013 (Monday to Friday). For further enquiries, please contact PAI by telephone at +44 (0)20 7580 3590, by fax at +44 (0)20 7580 4746, or by email at pai@public-admin.co.uk.
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Circular No 115/2013: Seminar on Enforcement of Judgment (4 June 2013)
