Govt Plans To Expand Legal Aid Clinics In Rural Areas – Azalina

TUARAN, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- The government plans to expand the 'Justice on Wheels' legal aid clinics in rural areas and integrate them with a digital system, to streamline the registration process, improve communication and facilitate access to legal advice.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, stated that this effort is crucial to making the Legal Aid Department's (JBG) services more inclusive.

She emphasised that this was especially critical for communities in the interior of Sabah and Sarawak, who are hindered by their remote locations and poor infrastructure.

"I have requested that the JBG increase the number of legal aid clinics, as well as pair them with a digital system. People can register using their phones, and almost everyone has an email.

"Therefore, we want a system that can be integrated to facilitate communication and initial registration," she told reporters after observing a legal aid clinic at the Tuaran Market today.

Azalina added that the digitalisation of this service is essential, following recent legal amendments that have implemented an electronic trial system.

It would also enable legal advice and document submission via digital platforms, including chatboxes.

To raise public awareness of the free legal services available from the government, she highlighted the need for the JBG to cooperate with members of parliament and state assemblymen. 

"Most importantly, the public must know that there is a government agency providing free legal services, as attracting clients through physical means alone is now rather difficult and challenging," she said.

-- BERNAMA