This afternoon, I hosted the University Malaya Law Society (UMLS) to a working lunch –– Japanese food. We discussed a plethora of matters from law and institutional reforms in the country, current issues, to what they envision Malaysia, under the MADANI Government of Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to become. 

I took the opportunity to explain to them the various challenges faced in enacting effective law and institutional reforms and the initiatives that the MADANI Government has in the pipeline at present. They also posed various questions in this regard which I answered. 

Further, the aspiring lawyers also expressed their views regarding the need for minimum wage for pupils-in-chambers. The government is deliberating this through amendments to the Legal Profession Act 1976. In addition, they also explained the need for the Universities and University Colleges (Amendment) Bill 2023, that was passed by Parliament earlier this year, to be urgently enforced. On their behalf, I will raise this matter with the Minister for Higher Education as the legislation falls under the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education.

Casual engagement sessions such as this, with students, are important to hear the views and concerns of our youth on current issues and most importantly, to listen to them. They also present a platform for students to directly raise their concerns with the government. We are always open to holding discussions, receiving constructive criticisms, and will continue to hold such sessions with the law societies of all public and private universities across Malaysia this year.