KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — The National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) will be getting an increased allocation of RM10 million to help those who cannot afford to hire lawyers to engage a legal counsel so they can be represented in court.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said the increased allocation is the government’s way to recognise that access to justice is a fundamental right.

He recalled the years he served in prison and shared his observation of how hundreds of other prisoners were given a chance to defend themselves in a fair trial through YBGK.

"With my limited experience, not that limited in Sungai Buloh, I’ve seen hundreds of prisoners being given the chance to defend themselves together with a reasonably fair trial.

"Access to justice has been greatly enhanced and YBGK has become the largest provider of legal aid in the country.

"The government acknowledges the role of the Malaysian Bar in this initiative,” Anwar, who is also finance minister, said in his speech at the International Malaysia Law Conference 2023 here.

In his speech, Anwar said the rule of law cannot be viewed purely from the prism of theoretical jurisprudence as such a principle cannot be realised if the man in the street, or those lacking the economic resources are unable to access the halls of justice.

"In this vein, I applaud the Malaysian Bar for their valiant efforts in providing Legal Aid, via a scheme established more than 40 years ago,” he said.

Earlier, Malaysian Bar president Karen Cheah said YBKG lawyers have represented clients in more than two million cases since April 2012.

"One of the greatest sources of pride for the Malaysian Bar is the advancement of legal aid programmes in Malaysia – and we do so because we believe everyone must have access to justice,” she said in her speech.