In conjunction with Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year, I had the pleasure of meeting with The Hon. Datin Seri Paduka Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib, the Attorney General of Brunei, in Bandar Seri Begawan. Our discussions focused on deepening legal collaborations and addressing contemporary legal issues to further enhance regional legal cooperation and economic integration.
Accompanying me were H.E. Datuk Mohd Aini Atan, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei and Dr. Punitha Silivarajoo, Deputy Director-General (Policy and Development) of the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department.
This engagement in Brunei was part of a broader mission across all ASEAN Member States aimed at fostering consensus, strengthening legal frameworks, and creating a more consistent dispute resolution environment that benefits businesses across ASEAN.
A key focus of our discussions was advancing international commercial arbitration and mediation in the region. As ASEAN economies continue to expand, the need for a robust dispute resolution framework becomes increasingly critical. Malaysia remains committed to positioning ASEAN as a trusted hub for arbitration and mediation, in line with global best practices. I emphasised the importance of ASEAN Member States—along with arbitral institutions, legal practitioners, and industry stakeholders—collaborating to establish a more integrated and accessible dispute resolution landscape that supports economic growth across the region.
During our meeting, I formally invited The Hon. Attorney General to two key events that Malaysia will host this year:
1. The 2025 ASEAN Conference on Legal Aid for Children (June 2025)
Organised by Malaysia’s Legal Aid Department, this landmark initiative aims to strengthen legal aid services for children across ASEAN, ensuring better access to justice for the region’s most vulnerable.
2. The ASEAN Law Forum 2025 (19–21 August 2025)
Supported by the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Member States, and the ASEAN Senior Law Officials Meeting (ASLOM) dialogue partner, Japan, this forum will serve as a crucial platform to foster regional legal cooperation, enhance access to justice, and drive economic integration through effective dispute resolution mechanisms. The event will culminate in the formalisation of a Joint Statement by ASEAN Law Ministers, reaffirming their collective commitment to strengthening international commercial arbitration and mediation in the region.
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