"We are committed to give the best service to our clients by ensuring that every Malaysian law published is up to date, accurate and caters to current needs. "

On 22 November 2005, in conjunction with the Integrity Day organized by the Attorney General’s Chambers, this Division was awarded the following:

1. Certification MS ISO 9000:2001 for the scope of activities relating to revision, reprint, extension, translation and reform of laws; and
2. Best office in the Attorney General’s Chambers.

This Division was originally established as the Law Revision Division.  Its function was to revise and reprint laws pursuant to the Revision of Laws Act 1968 [Act 1].  In July 2002, the Research Unit of the Attorney General’s Chambers was merged with this Division.  The Division has been known as the Law Revision and Law Reform Division ever since. In 2003, 11 State Law Revision Units were established in Peninsular Malaysia to revise and reprint the respective state laws.  In May 2004,  the function to translate pre-1967 laws from the English language to the national language was transferred from the Drafting Division to this Division. 

To establish this Division as a premier Division in the Attorney General's Chambers, renowned, recognized and respected within Malaysia and internationally.

To carry out the main functions of the Division in a systematic, efficient and effective manner with the full involvement of every member of the Division, particularly in respect of -

1. tasks based on laws;
2. application of sophisticated and up-to-date information communication technology (ICT);
3. enhancement of knowledge and experience of every member through effective training; and
4. inculcating the spirit of excellent work culture.

Objective

The Division’s main functions are to -

1. reprint laws in both the national and English language;
2. publish revised texts of laws;
3. extend laws of Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak and the Federal Territories;
4. translate English texts of pre-1967 laws to the national language;
5. undertake research for the modernization of Malaysian laws in tandem with current needs and globalization; and
6. undertake research for the harmonization of Malaysian laws with international obligations.

• Reprint of the “Laws of Malaysia” series
• A major function of this Division is to reprint and update all laws of Malaysia and its subsidiary legislation.
• The Commissioner’s power to reprint these laws is contained in Section 14 of the Revision of Laws Act 1968 (Act 1).
• The Division has reprinted 632 Acts updated with all the latest amendments in 38 volumes under the “Laws of Malaysia” series including the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

• Revision
• The other main task of this Division is to revise pre-1969 and post 1969 laws, and subsidiary legislation to bring them into the “Laws of Malaysia” series.
• The Commissioner’s power to revise laws is derived from Section 6 of the Revision of Laws Act 1968. A total of 232 Acts have so far been revised.
  

• Extension and Modification
• Another important function performed by this Division is preparing orders for extension and modification of laws applicable in Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak pursuant to Section 74 of the Malaysia Act 1963, and to the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya pursuant to the Constitution (Amendment) Acts of 1973 (Act A206), 1984 (Act A585) and 2001 (Act A1095) respectively.
• This function is carried out mainly upon request made by a particular Ministry, Department or any of the aforesaid states and Federal Territories. Since 1963, 281 Acts of Peninsular Malaysia have been extended with or without modifications to Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

• Translation
  • This Division is also tasked with the translation of laws into the national language, pursuant to the National Language Acts 1963/67 (Act 32). Laws legislated prior to this Act were mainly in English Language.

• Reform
• The Law Reform Section is divided into three units namely Unit 1 handles matters relating to Finance, Infrastructure and Civil , Unit 2 with Social, Development and Land and Unit 3 with Constitutional, Local Government and Criminal Justice matters.
• Each unit is tasked with carrying out research to identify archaic laws, anomalies in various laws, etc, pursuant to references from the Attorney General.
• Upon any reference, an ad-hoc committee will be formed, consisting of representatives from various government bodies, non-governmental organizations, academicians and law practitioners.
• This is to ensure that the views and opinions of all interested parties are canvassed and taken into consideration before a final report and recommendation for reforms, including a draft bill (if necessary) is submitted to the Attorney General for approval.