Researcher says legal reforms must be better publicised to improve Malaysia’s Rule of Law Index ranking
PUTRAJAYA: The government’s legal and institutional reforms will not make a real impact unless they are truly publicised, by being made accessible and understandable to ordinary citizens, through a more comprehensive communication strategy.
Only then can the public fully grasp the changes taking place, which in turn will help improve perceptions of the nation’s rule of law.
Lead researcher for the study on Malaysia’s Rule of Law Index, Prof Dr R. Ramalinggam, pointed out that the findings reveal a worrying gap: most Malaysians, including expert groups who serve as key sources for international assessments, remain largely unaware of the reforms that have been implemented, are underway, or are even on the horizon.
“The biggest takeaway from this study is that our communication plan simply is not reaching the public. Whatever reforms we carry out must be fully publicised.
“If people do not know what is happening, perceptions will not shift. And to change perceptions, we need a deliberate, well-structured strategy,” he said in a recent interview with Bernama.
Ramalinggam, who is also a law lecturer at Multimedia University’s Faculty of Law, stressed that this communication push cannot be piecemeal.
It must cut across all levels of government, from the federal and state administrations right down to local authorities, while also drawing in relevant institutions, the media and civil society at large.
He explained that information about reforms should not be limited to press conferences or parliamentary debates; instead, delivery must be diversified and tailored to each target group, using infographics, short videos, podcasts, social media and grassroots outreach programmes.
Ramalinggam highlighted that the study also found the majority of respondents were unaware of the reforms that had already been implemented.
As a result, perceptions of reform efforts have remained unchanged despite the introduction of various initiatives.
“The general public aside, even most of the QRQ (Qualified Respondents’ Questionnaire) group themselves do not actually know what reforms the government has carried out,” he said.
He emphasised that shifts in perception do not happen overnight, as the implementation of any law takes time before its impact can be felt by society because the enforcement process involves investigation, legal action, prosecution and trial, with effectiveness typically only measurable after five to ten years.
In supporting efforts to improve Malaysia’s position in international rankings, including the Rule of Law Index and the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Ramalinggam stressed that an effective communication plan must be backed by messaging that is easier for the public to understand.
He said content related to reforms should be delivered in language that resonates more closely with everyday people, while making full use of digital platforms that have become the public’s primary sources of information today.
“Whether we realise it or not, social media has become a country in its own right within the media landscape. Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Threads, whatever platforms are available, need to be optimised.
“When we produce videos, they must be tailored to the target audience. For the younger generation, the language should be simple and approachable, so that everyone can understand and connect with the message,” he said.
