Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is intensifying efforts to boost regional trade and establish a strong legal foundation for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in line with its role as ASEAN Chair this year, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia continues to liberalise its market through initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone and strategic partnerships with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and China. Azalina highlighted the progress ASEAN has made in eliminating intra-regional tariffs and emphasized the need to reduce non-tariff barriers and improve regulatory alignment to ensure seamless trade.

Azalina announced that Malaysia is undertaking key legal reforms including a review of the Contracts Act 1950 and the Sale of Goods Act 1957. Additionally, the country is developing a Cross-Border Insolvency Act aligned with United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) standards. These efforts aim to strengthen Malaysia’s legal infrastructure to support its economic objectives.

On the digital front, the government is drafting a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) law focused on ethics and governance. This initiative aims to support safe, responsible, and competitive innovation, reflecting Malaysia’s proactive stance in regulating AI to keep pace with technological advancements while safeguarding public trust.

Azalina noted that the planned legal framework for AI complements broader reforms in governance, anti-corruption, and human rights. These reforms are aimed at positioning Malaysia as a legally sound and economically vibrant nation.

The SCG Legal Regional Meeting, which is a global network of leading law firms, brought together regional legal and business leaders to address pressing cross-border legal developments and foster strategic collaboration across the Asia-Pacific region.