Azalina said the initiative, already in place in Sabah and Sarawak, should be extended to Peninsular Malaysia.

“We want to strengthen legal aid with a focus on the rural areas,” she said when winding up the debate on the 13th Malaysia Plan for her ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.

She said courts are mostly available in cities and big towns in districts, making it difficult for rural communities to seek legal assistance.

“Our hope is to have one mobile unit for each state, especially for the rural areas. Mobile legal access will not only solve small cases but also help with registering documents,” she said.

She said the initiative has received backing from newly appointed Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh.

Azalina also said the Public Defenders Bill will be tabled for its first reading next week, followed by the second reading.

Previously highlighted in the revised 2023 budget, the proposed law will provide free legal aid in criminal cases for the less privileged.