THE government is mulling the establishment of Ombudsman Malaysia, an independent body to address the wide range of public complaints against government departments or agencies. 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said said it was in line with the unity government’s agenda that emphasised transparency and integrity. 

“One of the problems is that we know that government officers are protected under the constitution and cannot be sacked (if they committed an offence). The worst-case scenario is they will be transferred elsewhere. So, if the public is dissatisfied, they can lodge their complaints.” 

She said this to reporters after attending an institutional reform workshop with civil society organisations today. 

Azalina hoped the workshop would bring forth suggestions on how to establish Ombudsman Malaysia. 

The proposal for the establishment of an independent body to replace the Public Complaints Bureau was made in 2018 by the then Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as an effort to ensure that all complaints relating to government ministries, departments, and agencies could be addressed more effectively.  

In her speech earlier, Azalina said the existing legal aid system, namely under the Department of Legal Aid and the National Legal Aid Foundation, would be reviewed to increase the quality of service and access to justice. 

She added that the Legal Aid Act 1971 would also be amended if necessary. 

The competitiveness of Malaysia’s economy needed to be improved not only in terms of information infrastructure but also legal framework to adapt to the country’s situation post-pandemic in the era of the fourth industrial revolution, Azalina said. 

For that purpose, the Legal Profession Act 1976, Sale of Goods Act 1957, Contracts Act 1950, and Insolvency Act 1967 would be reviewed, she said. – Bernama, January 17, 2023.