Azalina said compensation must not be viewed strictly in monetary terms, but assessed more broadly depending on the circumstances of each case and the capacity of those held responsible, Bernama reported.

She pointed out that several countries, including the UK, the US, Canada and Germany, already incorporate forms of restitution such as community service.

“We are looking at the issue of compensation within the Criminal Law Reform Committee from a broad perspective,” she told reporters.

“For example, I have mentioned corporate manslaughter in the case of a negligent bus driver. We want the company to be held responsible. But if the company is responsible, we cannot exactly send the company to prison.”

Azalina was speaking after the handover ceremony for the Office of the Public Defender, the launch of Justice on Wheels, and the commissioning of mediators for the legal aid department in Putrajaya.

She was commenting on reports that the Attorney-General’s Chambers is studying a proposal to establish a special tribunal to handle compensation claims by families of crime victims.

Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar reportedly said the proposal requires a detailed study before it can be implemented.

The idea for the tribunal follows calls from various quarters, including politicians and legal experts, for structured compensation for families of victims of crime, including fatal accidents.