Malaysia - September 2025

The Malaysian government agreed on 10 September to split the office of Attorney General into two: an Attorney General to advise the government on legal matters and a Public Prosecutor to oversee criminal prosecutions. The Malaysian Bar Association called the decision a ‘landmark reform’ which will reduce the risk for conflicts of interest and executive interference in criminal prosecutions. The Cabinet has set out a plan to enshrine the division in law, which will require amending Articles 42, 145 and 183 of the Constitution, introducing a new Act to regulate remuneration, and the development of a ‘task force’ to manage the logistical and organizational aspects of the separation. 

The Gig Workers Bill passed into law on 9 September, marking the first time a legal framework defines and recognizes ‘gig workers’ as workers. Employers are now required to provide social security contributions on their behalf, establish a dispute resolution mechanism for mediating conflicts between employers and employees, and more. An estimated 1.2 million Malaysians are employed in some form of gig work, which the law defines as work for online platforms and specific occupations performed under a service agreement, such as driving for ride-hailing services, care services, hairdressing and more. The bill’s passage was celebrated by Malaysian unions and the Human Rights Commission, although the latter called for stronger enforcement mechanisms, better access to legal aid and explicit legal recognition of gig workers’ right to associate and unionize. 

Sources: Malay Mail, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, UNI Global Union, Parliament of Malaysia