Kuala Lumpur:The proposed establishment of a Malaysian Law Reform Commission highlights the government's dedication to reinforcing the nation's legal reform agenda, according to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azalina expressed gratitude to Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his commitment to considering the proposal under Budget 2027. This initiative aims to identify outdated laws, address legislative gaps, and modernize laws concerning contracts, the sale of goods, and mediation.
The MADANI Government's reforms also focus on restoring parliamentary autonomy after more than 30 years, enhancing Parliamentary Special Select Committees, and introducing Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQT). Moreover, the legal reforms aim to strengthen human rights, protect the public, and improve access to justice.
Azalina emphasized the significance of the government's willingness to limit its own powers, despite the proposal to restrict the Prime Minister's tenure not yet achieving a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The separation of the roles of Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor remains under review, but the government remains committed to these reforms while respecting the parliamentary democratic process.
On the topic of public welfare, Azalina welcomed three initiatives under Budget 2027 to enhance the Second Chance Policy, which has aided over 250,000 individuals in emerging from bankruptcy since 2023. These include raising the bankruptcy threshold from RM100,000 to RM150,000 from 2027, extending the policy to primary caregivers of family members with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and the elderly, as well as gig workers and those with irregular incomes. Additionally, the plan aims to strengthen the automatic discharge from bankruptcy as early as three years under Section 33C of the Insolvency Act 1967 for eligible individuals.
She also praised the expansion of individual lifestyle tax relief to include vaccination costs and the adoption of pets from registered centers, which is intended to encourage responsible pet ownership.
As the Pengerang MP, Azalina expressed support for PETRONAS' full ownership of the Pengerang Integrated Complex to bolster the country's fuel supply security. The development of the Pengerang Biorefinery, through collaboration with Enilive, Eni, and Euglena, to produce low-carbon fuels such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and bionaphtha, is expected to create economic opportunities and high-value jobs.
Azalina stated that Budget 2027 demonstrates that reform is not solely about altering laws and institutions but also about providing tangible benefits to the people and shaping the nation's future.