ASEAN Law Forum 2025 Opens in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Calls for Inclusive and Sustainable Justice: Prime Minister

KUALA LUMPUR (Voice of Malaysia): Malaysia has called on ASEAN member states to strengthen legal cooperation, inclusivity, and sustainability in their justice systems as the region adapts to new challenges in governance and digital transformation.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his opening address at the ASEAN Law Forum 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, said ASEAN’s integration under Vision 2045 must be underpinned by a rules-based order and institutions that inspire trust.

“Justice must not only exist in principle but also be felt in the lives of our people. The law must empower and protect, not intimidate or exclude,” Anwar said. He added that sustainability requires legal institutions that can endure and remain relevant beyond immediate political pressures.

The Prime Minister revealed that Malaysia is considering the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Law to strengthen its legal framework and deepen engagement with ASEAN partners. He also highlighted the need for regional mechanisms to address digital governance, artificial intelligence regulation, and cross-border dispute resolution.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said, delivering her keynote, stressed that inclusivity means laws must serve all communities, while sustainability demands institutions that stand the test of time.

“The rule of law is not an abstract idea. It is the guarantor of peace, prosperity, and human dignity. In ASEAN, justice must not be a promise unfulfilled but a reality lived by all our peoples,” Azalina said.

The Forum, themed “Enhancing Access to Justice in the ASEAN Economic Community: Bridging Legal Cooperation for Inclusive Growth in the Digital Age,” brings together ASEAN ministers, legal experts, and scholars for three days of discussions.

It is expected to adopt a joint statement on legal cooperation, human rights, and sustainable development, committing member states to strengthen institutions, empower communities, and bring justice closer to citizens.

Anwar also pointed to Malaysia’s mediation role in recent Thailand-Cambodia border tensions, calling it an example of ASEAN’s ability to preserve peace through dialogue. Quoting Nelson Mandela, he said, “Courageous people do not fear forgiving for the sake of peace.”

“No statement, however carefully crafted, will by itself change lives,” the prime minister added. “What matters is the resolve to translate aspiration into action and vision into tangible progress for our peoples.”