By Usha Muthusamy,
KUALA LUMPUR, 12 June 2025: The Madani reform agenda is “alive and advancing,” affirmed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said today, directly addressing criticisms that the government’s reform efforts have stalled. She emphasized that these reforms are ongoing and supported by substantial evidence of progress.
Azalina detailed several key legislative and institutional changes already undertaken or in motion. A significant step includes the anticipated white paper by year-end on the critical separation of powers between the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Public Prosecutor’s office. Parliament has also passed amendments to abolish the mandatory death penalty and the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) Act. The Ombudsman Malaysia Act, aimed at establishing a more efficient public complaints mechanism, has also been successfully passed.
Further reforms include the revival of the Parliamentary Services Act to grant Parliament greater autonomy, as well as improvements to judicial appointment processes. The constitutional amendment preventing party hopping has been enacted. Azalina also highlighted ongoing efforts to decriminalise drug addiction, treating it as a health issue rather than a criminal offense. Additionally, reviews of laws pertinent to Sabah and Sarawak are progressing to ensure alignment with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
The minister stressed the inherent complexity and time-intensive nature of institutional reforms, reiterating the government’s commitment to a structured approach rather than neglecting calls for change. She also indicated plans to table amendments to citizenship laws in Parliament.
