KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must prioritise access to justice on the regional agenda in preparation for its Asean Chairmanship next year, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Speaking at the launch of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Week, she said such access is important particularly in leveraging the effectiveness of ADR for resolving cross-border disputes.
"Echoing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's words, Asean must prioritise collective economic development by fostering strong diplomatic relationships.
"By leveraging our respective strengths, I am optimistic that Asean will rise to experience sustainable development that goes beyond mere economic growth.
"In this context, access to justice must remain a priority on the regional agenda, with a focus on harnessing the effectiveness of ADR for cross-border dispute resolution," she said.
Also present at the launch were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Attorney-General (A-G) and AIAC chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, AIAC deputy chairman Datuk Shireen Ann Zaharah Muhiudeen and Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.
Azalina also called for the importance of knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and institutional support among regional arbitration centres, which is key to enhancing Asean's global stature.
As such, she said, recent engagements with Hong Kong's chief executive John Lee and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam, as well as Singapore's Minister of Law, K. Shanmugam discussed ADR developments and collaborative opportunities.
"Malaysia, in its Asean leadership role, seeks to foster regional cooperation and explore efficient dispute resolution avenues to enhance investor confidence across the region," she said, adding that the government is committed to creating an integrated, investor-friendly environment by reinforcing a streamlined ADR framework.
Azalina announced that Malaysia will co-host the Asean Law Forum 2025 on International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Reforms under the Asean legal platform.
She added that the forum will symbolise unity and cooperation among Asean nations in promoting alternative dispute resolution (ADR), with Asean Law Ministers working together to advance regional dispute resolution efforts.