KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that the legal system and judiciary are the pillars of a free, independent, and democratic nation, and therefore require continuous reform.
The principle of separation of powers demands that all parties understand that the era of arrogance of power, whether in the executive or judiciary, must come to an end.
“The experience in Asean countries, including Malaysia, has proven that there were times when the arrogance of political power weakened the legal system, and similarly, when damage and decay happened in the judiciary with allegations of corruption, arrogance, and irregularities,” he said.
Anwar was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Anwar Law Forum 2025 today, themed ''Enhancing Access to Justice in the Anwar Economic Community: Bridging Legal Cooperation for Inclusive Growth''.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Deputy Minister M. Kulasegaran, and Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.
He added that the Madani government fully supports the reform efforts spearheaded by Azalina, together with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, to strengthen the integrity of the country’s legal system.
“When Minister Azalina emphasises the need for reform, she does so with strong spirit and determination in her meetings with ministers.
“The reforms carried out in collaboration with the Attorney-General’s Chambers will provide renewed confidence in eradicating abuse of power,” Anwar said.
The three-day forum gathered 58 speakers and moderators in 15 expert-led sessions, with more than 300 participants from Asean and beyond discussing various issues, including alternative dispute resolution, commercial law reform, as well as business relations and human rights.
