Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang (Legal Affairs Division) Malaysia
Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang (Legal Affairs Division) of the Prime Minister’s Department (BHEUU) was established on 8 May 1995 upon the dissolution of the Ministry of Justice. It comprised the Chief Registrar’s Office of the Federal Court, the Legal Aid Bureau, the Official Assignee’s Department and the Department of Public Trustee and Official Administrator. However, with effect from 1 August 1995, the Department of Public Trustee and Official Administrator was corporatized and known as Amanah Raya Berhad. Hence, the administration of the Department was then detached from BHEUU except in relation to gazetting of the Amanah Raya’s officers for the purpose of appearing in courts.
The Chief Registrar’s Office of the Federal Court was separated from BHEUU on 1 July 1996. Despite being separated from BHEUU, its Court Planning and Development Unit of the Chief Registrar’s Office is returned to be administered by BHEUU on 16 April 2003.
The Official Assignee’s Department later changed its name to the Department of Insolvency Malaysia (JIM) on 1 October 2003, in tandem with the amendments to the Bankruptcy Act 1967. From October 2009 the Department of Insolvency Malaysia is officially known as the Malaysia Department of Insolvency (MdI).
With effect from January 16, 2010, the name of the Legal Aid Bureau has been changed to Legal Aid Department (JBG). Part of the reform process introduced by the Department is to eliminate public understanding of the Legal Aid Bureau from Public Complaints Bureau which is under the supervision of the Bar Council. The rename corespond to the demand for a better development and expansion of JBG.
BHEUU is also secretariat to the Pardon Board chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for cases in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya as well as for security cases. Beginning 2006, BHEUU is also responsible to monitor and coordinate the secretariat of States Pardon Board.
By virtue of the Cabinet decision made on 8 April 2004, BHEUU was appointed to be the secretariat to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM), taking over from Ministry of Foreign Affairs. BHEUU is responsible to assist Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in the appointment of the board members and submission of feedback from ministries on SUHAKAM’s Annual Report.
Functions of Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang (Legal Affairs Division)
- To coordinate development and drafting of policies and laws under the purview of BHEUU
- To undertake planning and development of court projects and information technology services towards improving the administration of justice
- To administer the Trustees (Incorporation) Act 1952 [Act 258], inclusive of matters pertaining to registration and monitoring of trustees corporation
- To act as secretariat to the Pardons Board by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for security cases and cases in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.
- To monitor the progress of pardon matters in every State
- To act as secretariat to the Committee responsible for proposing the appointment of members of SUHAKAM, and to obtain feedbacks on issues mentioned by the SUHAKAM Annual report.
- To carry out the administration of finance and human resource for head office and branches of Legal Aid Department and Insolvency Department of Malaysia
Contact Details of Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang (Legal Affairs Division) Malaysia
Address:
Aras 4-8, Bangunan Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang,
Presint 3, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62692 Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Telephone: 03 8885 1000
Fax : 03 8885 1048; 8885 1051
Email: webmaster@bheuu.gov.my
Website: http://www.bheuu.gov.my/