Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN presents a unique opportunity for the nation to influence regional policies prioritizing accountability and access to justice across various fields, as stated by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) emphasized the significance of ensuring equal access to justice in sports, particularly through alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia plans to advance sports dispute resolution efforts by hosting the ASEAN Sports ADR Forum 2025 this May. ‘The forum aims to unite athletes and experts from across ASEAN to shape a shared vision for the sports industry,’ Azalina remarked during the soft launch of the forum, which was also attended by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

The event was graced by the presence of key figures such as the director-general of the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) of the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Zamri Misman, and the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) chief executive officer Datuk Almalena Sharmila Johan. Azalina highlighted that the theme for this year’s ASEAN Sports ADR Forum, Ensuring Fair Play: Advancing Sports Dispute Resolution in Asia, accentuates the need for fairness and justice in sports.

‘The ASEAN Sports ADR Forum 2025 seeks to weave the aspirations of each ASEAN member state into a unified vision that strengthens the sports industry,’ she stated. The collaboration between BHEUU, the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS), and AIAC signifies a pivotal step in merging legal and sports expertise.

Azalina elaborated that the ASEAN Law Forum 2025 will act as a platform to enhance legal cooperation, improve access to justice, and support economic integration through effective dispute resolution. She underscored that the partnership between BHEUU, KBS, and AIAC is crucial in reinforcing sports governance across ASEAN.

‘By promoting policy development, legal reforms, and efficient dispute resolution, we can foster integrity, accountability, and excellence in sports administration, ensuring the spirit of sportsmanship thrives across the region,’ Azalina concluded.