
MALAYSIA is calling on ASEAN member states to adopt a shared legal platform to settle business disputes more effectively, particularly across different legal systems in the region.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said mechanisms like mediation, arbitration and adjudication — known as alternative dispute resolution (ADR) — offer faster, cheaper and more private ways of resolving cross-border conflicts.
“Not all ASEAN countries use the same legal system, but ADR is something we can all apply. It works for both civil and common law countries,” she said at the ASEAN Law Forum 2025 today.
Businesses often avoid taking disputes to court because litigation can be costly, slow and public. ADR, on the other hand, provides privacy and efficiency — making it a more attractive option for investors and entrepreneurs.
“For example, if someone is running a tourism or trademark-related business in Timor-Leste, they don’t want to go through lengthy court processes. ADR allows them to settle privately, which builds confidence,” she added.
Azalina said global frameworks like UNCITRAL’s model laws, already support this approach, and ASEAN should adopt similar practices to boost investor confidence and strengthen regional trade.
“By agreeing on a common method to resolve disputes, we create a safer and more stable environment for doing business in ASEAN,” she added.
The ASEAN Law Forum, hosted under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, highlights ADR as a practical means of enhancing regional legal cooperation and reducing barriers for businesses.
Source: https://themalaysianreserve.com/2025/08/19/malaysia-pushes-for-asean-wide-dispute-resolution-platform-to-support-business-growth/amp/