EFFECTIVE Monday, Malaysians arrested and remanded are entitled for free legal service under the National Legal Aid Foundation, said the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong (BN-Sandakan),
Previously, only those with a household income of less than RM25,000 were eligible for financial assistance from the foundation.
The foundation was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Feb 25 last year to ensure all accused persons got a fair hearing in court.
The foundation will provide legal aid and advisory services to all Malaysians for all crimes, except those which carry the death penalty, from the time of arrest to remand and to release on bail.
Last year, 37,597 Malaysians were brought to magistrate's courts and 17,637 were without legal assistance.
A total of 4,436 cases involving underage criminals were brought to the courts but only 515 had lawyers.
Read more: Free legal service for detainees - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/free-legal-service-for-detainees-1.70535#ixzz1r5T6A3e2
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