The Malaysian Bar’s International Malaysia Law Conference (“IMLC”) 2026 takes place from 27 to 30 Oct 2026 at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur.
By Vanessa Yeong Yen Zan, Ng Choo Beng R Naidu & Partners
The Opening Ceremony of the International Malaysia Law Conference (“IMLC”) 2026 on 28 Oct 2026 included the President’s Address, delivered by Anand Raj, President of the Malaysian Bar, by way of a recorded message. He recalled that the Malaysian Bar first organised the Malaysian Law Conference on 15 July 1971 and relaunched the conference as IMLC in 2012. Citing his predecessor, Lim Chee Wee, he noted that the Malaysian Bar had been described as an equal partner in the administration of justice. A partner, he said, must not only work with the Bench, the Government and civil society to improve the law, but must also speak candidly, call out shortcomings and press for reform.
He noted that the Malaysian Bar’s call for a permanent and independent law reform commission, which was made at the first IMLC, remained more urgent than ever 14 years on, as did the questions of prosecutorial independence, judicial appointments, and laws affecting liberty and access to justice. The Malaysian Bar continued to call for a genuine separation of the offices of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor, a two-term limit for the office of the Prime Minister, credible and transparent judicial appointments, meaningful freedom of information, stronger whistleblower protection, greater judicial scrutiny of executive conduct, and the repeal of laws that unduly restrict liberty and expression.
He also identified the tension between artificial intelligence and judicial independence as another test of core principles. Beyond the nation’s borders, he called upon the Government to uphold international law and to sign the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer promoted by the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe.
Recalling the words of the late former President Yang Mulia Raja Aziz Addruse, who described the legal profession as a sentinel and guardian of the fundamental rights of the individual, he said that, as the Malaysian Bar approached its 80th anniversary, its longevity should be celebrated not with balloons and confetti, but with an unflinching commitment to uphold the cause of justice. He closed by inviting delegates to the Malaysian Bar Human Rights Festival 2026 on 13 Dec 2026, and encouraged candour and robust exchanges of views throughout the conference.