A total of 158 pro bono mediators have registered under the Asian International Arbitration Centre’s initiative to provide free commercial mediation services for disputes under RM250,000.
IPOH: A total of 158 pro bono mediators have registered under the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Pro Bono Commercial Mediation Initiative to date, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran.
He said the initiative, which was launched under MADANI Mediation Centre on May 18, reflected the legal profession’s strong support for broadening access to justice.
The initiative, he said, provides free commercial mediation services for over 26 categories of commercial disputes involving claims of less than RM250,000, to facilitate the swift and structured resolution of commercial disputes.
“Since its implementation in May, the AIAC has also been actively receiving pro bono mediation cases and inquiries. I was made to understand that in the last few months, about 10 cases have been registered.
“One of the first things I’ll do next week is to instruct them to invite the Bar Council to meet up and see how we can facilitate and further strengthen so that we can reach out to more people and the ensuing publicity, and also so that ordinary people can benefit from it,” he said in his speech during the launch of the Perak Bar Mediation Centre here today.
The ceremony was also attended by Malaysian Bar president Anand Raj, Malaysian Bar vice-president and Malaysian International Mediation Centre (MIMC) chairperson Murshidah Mustafa, Perak Industrial Relations Department director Shuhaida Kassim, Perak Bar chairman Dr Saravanabavan Mathialagan and Perak Bar Mediation Centre director S.V. Namasoo.
Speaking at a press conference later, Kulasegaran said many people believe civil disputes are best resolved through the courts, whereas an effective lawyer can help settle cases outside the courtroom.
“Mediation is one such avenue, and it deserves support. The MADANI Government will provide as much assistance as possible. Litigation takes time. A case filed in the High Court may be followed by several stages of appeal.
“I have personally handled cases that lasted 10 to 15 years. Mediation allows disputes to be resolved much earlier. It is a win-win solution for both parties and should be given priority,” he said.
On a separate matter, Kulasegaran said the government would await the Cabinet’s decision before deciding whether CCTV footage of an incident at Taiping Prison that resulted in the death of a detainee early last year could be made public or shown in the Dewan Rakyat.
“So far, several individuals have been charged in court, and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is the body empowered to examine the matter. We are awaiting the Cabinet’s direction on whether the viral video can be released and made available to the public,” he said.
On July 8, Kulasegaran told the Dewan Rakyat that although he was, in principle, in favour of Members of Parliament being given access to the footage, the proposal required careful consideration in view of its legal implications, including the sub judice rule and ongoing court proceedings.
