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Function:
Synonymous and to close functional proximity with Bar Council Legal Aid Center, Legal Aid
Bureau (Biro Bantuan Guaman) is another organization which provide free legal aid to the
general public in Malaysia. It is a governmental body, under the jurisdiction of Bahagian Hal
Ehwal Undang-Undang, Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Legal Affair Division, Prime Ministers
Department). Provision of legal advices (orally) and legal assistance to deserving members (with
limited means of doing so) of the public are its general objectives. Consubstantial to the Legal
Aid Center (LAC) run by the Malaysian Bar Council, the BBG provides free legal advice and
representation to individuals who are deemed to have passed their qualifying criteria. Withal to
that, they also provide subsidized legal services and in the event that one does not qualify for this
either, guidance will still be provided nevertheless. Its specific functions include the followings:
1. To give legal advice on all legal matters (Fourth Schedule)
2. To represent or provide legal assistance in proceedings in all courts in Malaysia within the
jurisdiction as provided in the Second Schedule (criminal jurisdiction) and the Third Schedule
(civil jurisdiction) Legal Aid Act 1971
3. To provide mediation services
4. To promote legal awareness to the general public on their rights under the law.
b. padi cultivators
d. road accident
e. moneylenders
f. hire-purchase
g. tenancy matters
i. adoption
j. consumer claims
4. Criminal cases
5. Legal advice in all legal matters
6. Mediation for Syariah and civil cases
Cancellation of Certificate
Under section 19 of the Legal Aid Act 1971 the Director General of Legal Aid or any person
appointed under subsection 3(2) may cancel a legal aid certificate. Pursuant to regulation 8 of the
Legal Aid and Advice Regulations 1970, a legal aid certificate may be revoked in any of the
following circumstances:
1. at the request of the person to whom it is issued;
2. the applicant has been required to make a contribution and any payment in respect thereof is
more than 30 days in arrears;
3. if the Director General is satisfied that the proceedings have been disposed of;
4. where the Director General is satisfied that the aided person has required the proceeding to be
conducted unreasonably so as to incur an unjustifiable expense to the Department;
5. demise of the aided person;
6. in the event that the aided person has had a receiving order made against him;
7. if the income of the aided person exceeds RM30,000.00 per annum upon further
determination;
8. if as a result of any information the Director General considers the aided person no longer has
reasonable grounds of being a party to the proceedings and it is unreasonable for him to continue
to receive legal aid;
9. if the aided person in furnishing information has knowingly made a false statement or false
representation.
: RM650
: RM900
Salary
: RM1000 p/m
Monthly exp.
: RM450
Balance
: RM550 (QUALIFIED)
Monthly expenses include rental, utility bills, medical bills, personal expenses, monies given to
support parents/family, etc. When visiting the LAC, an applicant should provide proof of income
(e.g. payslip), monthly expenses (e.g. rental receipt, medical expenses etc.) and details of the
case he/she seek help on.
Even if an applicant does not qualify for the afore-conferred requirements, the LAC is more than
happy to provide basic guidelines and directions for further action to walk-in clients. They also
hold a directory of legal firms available in the vicinity. They do not entertain legal queries via the
telephone, to ensure the integrity of any information given. On top of that, keep in mind that not
all cases require legal representation. For instance, for a small claims case no legal
representation is necessary. You only need to submit a form to the Magistrate Court 9, Jalan Duta
(available there). Small claims cases include all actions where the money damages claimed are
not in excess of RM5, 000.