Overview The events of the past week in the Dewan Rakyat have served as a litmus test for Malaysia’s institutional reform agenda, revealing both the fragility of political consensus and the necessity for rigorous legislative scrutiny. As we navigate this transitional period, it has become increasingly clear that the pursuit of a more accountable Malaysia must be defined by systemic integrity rather than political expediency. UMLS is of the view that the pursuit of a more acco

UMLS takes cognizance of the Prime Minister’s announcement on the package of agenda reform for 2026 during the New Year Message, to be spearheaded by the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform). These long-anticipated reforms signal a renewed commitment to strengthening democratic accountability, institutional integrity, and the rule of law in Malaysia. Overview These proposed reforms address decades-long systemic imbalances within Malaysia’s system of gove

“Judicial independence and the separation of powers are as critical as they are sacrosanct in our constitutional framework.” Zainun Ali FCJ (as Her Ladyship then was) in Semenyih Jaya Sdn Bhd v Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Hulu Langat[i] The University of Malaya Law Society (UMLS) 25/26 expresses serious concern over the ongoing delays in the appointment of judges to the superior courts and the broader implications such delays pose to judicial independence and constitutional integr

Rule of Law stands as a cardinal principle that safeguards individual rights and liberties in a democratic society. Judicial independence is essential in the context of the Rule of Law because it enables courts to review executive and legislative actions without fear.[i] The judiciary needs to be free to decide cases without interference, inducements, threats, or pressure from any source. These intricately linked concepts form the basic features of our Federal Constitution (“

On 15 January 2025, Sekretariat Rakyat Benci Rasuah (SRBR) notified the police about the organisation of the Rakyat Benci Rasuah protest (‘the protest’), which was planned to be held on 25 January 2025. However, the Dang Wangi police chief stated that the organisation of the protest had not complied with the requirements under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (PAA), as the organizers had yet to obtain consent of the occupier of the place of assembly.[i] Furthermore, he warned t

Pada 15 Januari 2025, Sekretariat Rakyat Benci Rasuah (SRBR) telah memaklumkan pihak polis mengenai penganjuran protes Rakyat Benci Rasuah (‘’protes tersebut’’), yang dirancang untuk diadakan pada 25 Januari 2025. Walau bagaimanapun, ketua polis Dang Wangi menyatakan bahawa penganjuran protes tersebut tidak mematuhi syarat di bawah Akta Perhimpunan Aman 2012 (APA), kerana penganjur belum memperoleh kebenaran daripada penghuni tempat perhimpunan.[i] Selain itu, beliau memberi

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." Desmond Tutu, Anti-apartheid and Human Rights activist. The University of Malaya Law Society (UMLS) would like to express our concerns over the recent uproar due to controversial remarks made by Dr. Bruce Gilley, a professor of political science at Portland State University, during his keynote address at a seminar organised by the Universiti Malaya’s (UM) Department of International

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." Desmond Tutu, Anti-apartheid and Human Rights activist. Persatuan Undang-Undang Universiti Malaya (UMLS) ingin menyuarakan kebimbangan kami terhadap kenyataan kontroversi yang dibuat oleh Dr. Bruce Gilley, seorang profesor sains politik di Portland State University, semasa ucapannya di satu seminar yang dianjurkan oleh Jabatan Pengajian Antarabangsa dan Strategik Universiti Malaya da

“To show men that crimes can be pardoned, and that punishment is not their inevitable consequence, encourages the illusion of impunity."...

“To show men that crimes can be pardoned, and that punishment is not their inevitable consequence, encourages the illusion of impunity."...

"Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the...

"Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the...

“Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Lord Acton The University of Malaya Law Society (UMLS) would like to...

“Judicial independence is a sacrosanct concept. Judges and the entire judicial process must be free to perform their functions freely and...

Genocide is an attempt to exterminate a people, not to alter their behaviour. - Jack Schwartz The Rohingya genocide is one of the most...

Pembunuhan kaum adalah percubaan untuk menghapuskan manusia, bukannya mengubah tingkah laku mereka. - Jack Schwartz Pembunuhan kaum...

“Without concerned citizen action to uphold [human rights] close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”...

“Human rights are our birth right because they come to us from a transcendental source that is prior to and independent of the law of the...

On the 23rd of October, the Prime Minister was granted an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (hereinafter the “YDPA”) to communicate...

Recently, Malaysia was alarmed by the commencement of a national event that fanned the flames of controversy in the country. The Malay...