PUTRAJAYA, Aug 12 — More than 3,000 outdated laws must be reviewed to ensure the legislation remains current, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman.
“For example, in digital technology, existing laws may not be applicable or require amendments to address more relevant situations,” she told media after the monthly Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) meeting today.
Azalina said a list of outdated laws, some of which were drafted before Merdeka, will be compiled for the prime minister’s consideration for further action.
“We may need to prepare a Cabinet paper, listing these outdated laws and proposing a special Cabinet committee review them.
“These laws affect all agencies and may also involve state, federal, and local governments,” she explained.
She emphasised that the review must engage various stakeholders, including the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the judiciary, and law faculties of universities with the expertise to evaluate the legislation.
Recently, the media reported that Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul had convened a meeting with secretaries-general and legal advisers from each ministry to look into reviewing obsolete laws.
He said the measure is necessary to assess laws no longer relevant or appropriate for the digital era, and which must be updated on a par with current times.
— Bernama