By Murniati Abu Karim
Photo Izwan Azman & Shahiddan Saidi

BANGI, 13 December 2021 – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Faculty of Law organised the Tuanku Ja’afar Law Conference and Workshop 2021 (TJC 2021) as a forum for discussion on issues regarding law and justice.

Themed ‘Access to Justice: Substantive Issues and Procedures’, the conference was aimed at analysing and evaluating the effectiveness of the law towards achieving justice and equity in both theory and practice.

UKM Chancellor, His Royal Highness Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir in his royal address said that everyone has the right to seek remedy by equal access to the laws of the country, and the right to be judged fairly without fear or favour.

“This right must be available to anyone regardless of his or her social status, political, religious, or ethnic background.

“The government has the duty to enforce the laws of the country against perpetrators who infringe on the rights or safety of others, as well as against those who damage the nation itself by their actions, whether by physical means or by misappropriation of the country’s assets.

“The task of achieving the correct balance of competing claims between legal protagonists as well as protecting society, is incumbent upon lawmakers, the legal fraternity, and ultimately, the judiciary,” he said.

Also present at the opening ceremony was Chairman of UKM Board of Directors Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Abd Razak.

According to him, access to justice is a basic principle of the rule of law.

“In the absence of access to justice, people are unable to have their voice heard, exercise their rights, challenge discrimination or hold decision-makers accountable.

“The rule of law emphasises the right of equal access to justice for all, including members of vulnerable groups, and reaffirms the states to taking all necessary steps to provide fair, transparent, effective, non-discriminatory and accountable services that promote access to justice for all,” he added.

The conference also saw Chief Justice of Malaysia, Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat who delivered a keynote address titled ‘Access to Justice: Substantive Issues and Procedures’.