21/04/2026

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Azalina expresses hope for establishment of Law Ministry PUTRAJAYA: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Law and Institutional

“What I mean is that with its own ministry, with its own secretary general, division secretary and director-general, it could operate more effectively to assist the public fully,“ she said yesterday at the handover ceremony for the Office of Public Defender, launch of the Justice on Wheels roadshow and the commissioning of mediators for the Legal Aid Department. She said the expanding scope of work would include the establishment of tribunals, such as an anti-bullying tribunal as well as strengthening of legal aid and the

role of public defence, all of which require a more structured administrative framework. “Many of the amendments we made have placed greater tasks on the legal division under the Prime Minister’s Department, including staffing and departmental needs.” She added that the developments show the need to restructure the functions of the division under a dedicated ministry for more integrated and effective management. She also expressed belief that a dedicated ministry would

strengthen delivery of legal services to the public, in line with the current legal landscape. On Aug 21, Anwar was reported as saying the government was considering establishing a Law Ministry to ensure a more structured and integrated legal ecosystem. In his keynote at the Asean Law Forum 2025, he also said the move would enable Malaysia to engage more meaningfully with regional partners in advancing the rule of law, especially with fellow Asean members. – Bernama

responsibilities of the Legal Affairs Division following various legal amendments that have been implemented. “Indeed, (the division) should

Reform Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said expressed hope that the proposed Law Ministry, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, could become a reality next year. She said the view

become a full ministry so that we view the law as a very important element for the public, not merely seen as sitting under the Prime Minister’s Department. That is not to say the Prime Minister’s Department is unimportant.

aligns with current needs, given the expanding functions and

‘GE16 seat allocations for Unity govt rest with secretariat’

Oh said the ‘Rumah Bangsa’ concept appears to mirror an ‘Umno-plus’ framework, positioning Umno as the central or ‘mothership’ entity. – BERNAMAPIC

PETALING JAYA: Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam says GE16 seat allocations within the Unity government would be decided collectively by its secretariat, despite parties signalling early interest. He said it was normal for parties to signal interest in contesting specific constituencies prior to the election, emphasising that there is a standing mutual understanding among component parties in the Madani administration to maintain the status quo of seats currently held. He added that each party that won a given seat in the last general election would retain the right to contest that same seat in the upcoming election. “Before the general election, all parties are free to apply for or express interest in any seats they consider suitable. “That is a standard practice in political negotiations,” he told theSun . “However, we have a shared understanding that any seat currently won by a party within the Madani government will remain contested by that same party in the next election.” He said any deviation from the arrangement would only occur through mutual agreement, particularly in cases in which strategic seat swaps are deemed beneficial. “Exceptions can only be made if, during seat allocation negotiations, the parties involved agree to a swap. Even then, it must be based on consensus.” He emphasised that the allocation process is not determined unilaterally, but through collective agreement at the highest level of the coalition, adding that the secretariat – comprising leaders of all

component parties in the Unity government – would make the final decision. “Ultimately, the decision on who contests which seat will be determined by the secretariat. “It is the highest decision-making platform to ensure consensus.” Lokman also cautioned against adopting rigid positions too early in the process, adding that political negotiations often require flexibility and compromise. “There is nothing wrong with stating one’s aspirations now – that is each party’s right. However, all parties must be prepared to accept the final decision when it is made.” He said preserving unity and discipline within the coalition would be critical to its electoral prospects, especially in an increasingly competitive political landscape. “What matters most now is maintaining unity within the government. Seat negotiations must be conducted in the spirit of cooperation, not internal competition.” He was responding to Amanah leaders who called for the party to expand its parliamentary footprint in the federal territories ahead of the next election. Amanah Federal Territories chairman Khalid Abdul Samad had earlier said the party is eyeing three constituencies: Putrajaya, Labuan and Titiwangsa. Umno had reclaimed Titiwangsa in the last general election when party vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani successfully won the seat after securing 25,042 votes, winning with a majority of 4,632 votes, defeating Khalid who polled 20,410 votes. – By Ikhwan Zulkaflee

Analysts divided over ‘Rumah Bangsa’ agenda

While acknowledging that the return of former Umno leaders could strengthen the party’s hand, Oh emphasised that a more fundamental issue remains unresolved: leadership. “The key question is: even if all the Malay-based parties come together, who will ultimately lead? Will it be Umno, PAS or Bersatu? More specifically, will it be the Umno president, the PAS president or the Bersatu president?” he asked. Oh also pointed to emerging dynamics within the political landscape, including the possibility of new alignments led by figures such as former opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. “These are critical questions that need to be addressed. But in reality, they are very difficult to resolve because everyone wants to lead. “While there is consensus on unity in principle, each leader prefers unity on their own terms.” He added that the concept appears to mirror an “Umno-plus” framework, positioning Umno as the central or “mothership” entity. “But the question remains whether parties such as Bersatu and PAS would agree to such an arrangement. That is still uncertain.” The agenda was mooted by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the last Umno annual general assembly in January.

o Move projects Umno as party willing to adopt more inclusive, magnanimous approach: Academic

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

embroiled in internal disputes, power struggles and fragmentation, including Bersatu. “Even within the PN coalition, there are ongoing disagreements over leadership and seat allocations.” However, Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia principle adviser Oh Ei Sun offered a more cautious assessment, saying the concept behind “Rumah Bangsa” is not new and faces structural challenges. “You see, race-based parties have, from time to time, floated the idea of forming a broad umbrella to unite their respective communities, bringing together major personalities and parties under one platform.” He added that similar initiatives have been proposed in the past, including during the tenure of incarcerated former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who extended cooperation overtures to PAS. “After 2018, especially during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration, there were also efforts to align Umno and PAS, alongside other Malay-based parties. So, in essence, the ‘Rumah Bangsa’ or ‘umbrella’ concept is not something entirely new.”

PETALING JAYA: Analysts are divided over the effectiveness of Umno’s “Rumah Bangsa” agenda, with some viewing it as a successful consolidation strategy while others are questioning its long-term viability amid leadership rivalries among Malay-based parties. Universiti Malaya political analyst Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said Umno’s recent move to readmit several high-profile leaders reflects a deliberate strategy to strengthen the party ahead of the next general election. “I see this so-called ‘political amnesty’ by Umno as part of a broader effort to reinforce the party. The return of influential figures such as Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Khairy Jamaluddin, Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar and others signals that the agenda is gaining traction.” He added that the move projects Umno as a party willing to adopt a more inclusive and magnanimous approach, in contrast to its rivals. “It shows Umno is taking a different path, being open and big-hearted, at a time when other parties are still