PUTRAJAYA: More than 3,000 outdated laws must be reviewed to ensure the legislation remains relevant, says law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said.
For example, existing laws may not be applicable or require amendments to address more relevant situations in digital technology, she told the media after the ministers’ monthly assembly today.
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Azalina said a list of outdated laws, some of which were drafted before independence, would be compiled for the prime minister’s consideration.
“We may need to prepare a Cabinet paper listing these outdated laws and propose establishing a special Cabinet committee to review them.
These laws affect all agencies and may also involve state, federal and local governments, she said.
Azalina said the review should engage various stakeholders, including the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the judiciary and university law faculties with the expertise to evaluate legislation.
Recently, the media reported that Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul had convened a meeting with secretaries-general and legal advisers from each ministry to look into reviewing obsolete laws.
He said this was necessary to assess laws no longer relevant or appropriate for the digital era and update them to keep up with changing times.
