From neighbour disputes to legal reform, Malaysia moves to strengthen community mediation

The Ministry of National Unity in Malaysia is assessing amendments to the Mediation Act 2012 to enhance legal provisions for community mediation services under the National Unity and Integration Department.

These services are currently guided by the Rukun Tetangga Act 2012, which is deemed inadequate for a comprehensive framework.

The ministry is also looking into the legal frameworks of other countries such as Singapore, India, and Sri Lanka for potential improvements.

Moreover, the government plans to establish 12 new Community Mediation Centres across the nation to address community conflicts effectively.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 — The Ministry of National Unity (KPN) is reviewing proposed improvements to the Mediation Act 2012 to establish a clearer legal framework for strengthening community mediation services under the National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN).

Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the Act, which falls under the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU), does not specifically cover the operation of JPNIN’s community mediation services.

He said JPNIN’s mediation services, including training and accreditation for community mediators, were currently based on Section 8(d) of the Rukun Tetangga Act 2012.

However, the provision was insufficient to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the services.

“I have therefore asked JPNIN to meet with BHEUU to review the proposed improvements, including amendments to the Mediation Act 2012, to provide a clearer legal basis for these services,” he said.

He was speaking at the launch of the Seri Kota Public Housing Collaborative Social Project on Community Mediation here today.

Also present was Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the prime minister’s wife.

Aaron also called on JPNIN and the National Integration Research and Training Institute (IKLIN) to conduct comparative studies of countries with specific legal frameworks for community mediation, including Singapore, India and Sri Lanka.

He cited Singapore’s Community Mediation Centres Act 1997, India’s Mediation Act 2023 and Sri Lanka’s Mediation Boards Act 1988 as examples for comparison.

The study, he said, would help assess how legislation in these countries regulates the powers and functions of mediation bodies, mediator accreditation, mediation procedures and safeguards for parties involved.

Meanwhile, the government will expand its network of Community Mediation Centres by establishing 12 new centres at strategic locations nationwide this year, including in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah; Miri, Sarawak; Pontian, Johor; Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu; and Shah Alam, Selangor.

“These centres will serve as community reference points for information, preliminary advice and appropriate channels to resolve community issues and disputes.

“This approach will help identify and address conflicts early, before they escalate into more serious disputes and strain community relations,” he said.

On the Seri Kota Public Housing Community Mediation Centre, Aaron said it was JPNIN’s 11th such centre.

Its location was selected based on several factors, including a population of nearly 6,000, available local facilities, community demand and the need to address neighbourhood issues.

He said the centre’s establishment also followed a resolution proposed at the 2024 K2K Initiative Development Strategic Workshop organised by Think City in collaboration with government agencies and stakeholders. — Bernama

* Editor’s note: The abbreviations KPN stand for Kementerian Perpaduan Negara (Ministry of National Unity); JPNIN stands for Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional (National Unity and Integration Department); BHEUU stands for Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang (Legal Affairs Division); and IKLIN stands for Institut Kajian dan Latihan Integrasi Nasional (National Integration Research and Training Institute).

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马来西亚国家团结部正在评估对 2012 年调解法的修订，以加强国家团结与融合部下属社区调解服务的法律规定。

这些服务目前受 2012 年《Rukun Tetangga 法案》的指导，但该法案被认为不足以构成一个全面的框架。

该部还在研究新加坡、印度和斯里兰卡等其他国家的法律框架，以寻求可能的改进。

此外，政府计划在全国范围内设立12个新的社区调解中心，以有效解决社区冲突。

吉隆坡，10 月 17 日讯——国家团结部 (KPN) 正在审查对 2012 年调解法的拟议改进，以建立一个更清晰的法律框架，从而加强国家团结与融合部 (JPNIN) 下属的社区调解服务。

部长拿督亚伦·阿戈·达甘表示，该法案属于法律事务局（BHEUU）管辖范围，但并未具体涵盖 JPNIN 社区调解服务的运作。

他表示，JPNIN 的调解服务，包括对社区调解员的培训和认证，目前依据的是 2012 年《Rukun Tetangga 法案》第 8(d) 条。

然而，该规定不足以建立一套全面的服务法律框架。

“因此，我已要求JPNIN与BHEUU会面，审查拟议的改进措施，包括对2012年调解法的修订，以便为这些服务提供更清晰的法律基础，”他说。

他今天在此出席了斯里哥打公共房屋合作社会项目社区调解启动仪式并发表讲话。

出席者包括敦拉萨班达尔国会议员、首相夫人拿督斯里万阿兹莎万伊斯梅尔博士。

Aaron 还呼吁 JPNIN 和国家融合研究与培训学院 (IKLIN) 对具有特定社区调解法律框架的国家进行比较研究，包括新加坡、印度和斯里兰卡。

他以新加坡 1997 年《社区调解中心法》、印度 2023 年《调解法》和斯里兰卡 1988 年《调解委员会法》为例进行比较。

他说，这项研究将有助于评估这些国家的立法如何规范调解机构的权力和职能、调解员资格认证、调解程序以及对相关各方的保障措施。

与此同时，政府今年将扩大社区调解中心网络，在全国战略地点建立12个新中心，包括沙巴亚庇；砂拉越美里；柔佛笨珍；瓜拉丁加奴, 登嘉楼州;和雪兰莪州莎阿南。

“这些中心将作为社区信息参考点，提供初步建议和适当的渠道来解决社区问题和纠纷。

他说：“这种方法有助于及早发现和解决冲突，防止冲突升级为更严重的争端，并加剧社区关系紧张。”

亚伦表示，斯里哥打公共房屋社区调解中心是JPNIN的第11个此类中心。

该地点的选择基于几个因素，包括近 6,000 人口、当地可用的设施、社区需求以及解决社区问题的需要。

他表示，该中心的成立也遵循了由Think City与政府机构和利益相关者合作举办的2024年K2K倡议发展战略研讨会上提出的一项决议。——马新社

*编者注：缩写KPN代表Kementerian Perpaduan Negara（民族团结部）； JPNIN 代表 Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional（民族团结与融合部）； BHEUU 代表 Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang（法律事务部）； IKLIN 代表 Institut Kajian dan Latihan Integrasi Nasional（国家一体化研究与培训学院）。

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