A LAW commission to review existing legislation and to recommend areas for legal reform might be set up by next year, said de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong.

A white paper on the proposed commission has been completed and relevant stakeholders, including the Malaysian Bar, are being consulted, Liew said.

A bill will be tabled for debate after cabinet approval next year, he told reporters after delivering his keynote address at Suhakam’s 20th anniversary forum in Kuala Lumpur today.

“Malaysia is one of the few Commonwealth countries that do not have this commission,” he said, adding that the commission is expected to be chaired by a retired senior judge and assisted by legal practitioners.

Recommendations by the law commission will be submitted to Attorney-General’s Chambers before being given to the cabinet.

Once approved by the cabinet, the law reform bill will be tabled for further debate.

“The era of government know best is over,” Liew said in his keynote address.

Present was Suhakam chairman Othman Hashim.

“We are moving towards the concept of open government. For law reforms, we need to confer, not only with government agencies and civil society groups but with all stakeholders.

“Of course, the way forward will be the establishment of a law commission in Malaysia. Malaysia is probably the very few countries that does not have one.”

“A law commission is an independent body set up by a government to conduct reforms, and make recommendations or proposals for legal changes or restructuring. Until then, my office will oversee the law reform process.”

Last year, Liew said in a statement that Putrajaya intended to emulate the Law Commission of England and Wales, which is a statutory independent body set up by UK’s parliament to review laws and recommend reforms.

The Malaysian Bar had expressed support for such a commission.

Its former president George Varughese was reported as saying in July last year, the commission would promote healthy discourse, and development of sound laws and legal policies.

Meanwhile, Liew told reporters that the Sedition Act would be repealed following a cabinet decision, adding that some provisions would be placed under the Penal Code.

“The provisions that concern the royal institution will be placed under the Penal Code,” Liew said, adding it was to prevent the members of the public from insulting or tarnishing the image of the royals.

He did not elaborate on details or deadlines for those changes. – September 12, 2019.