Making Malaysia the preferred ADR destination in the region

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament & Law) Datuk Wira Hajah Mas Ermieyati Samsudin officially launched The AIAC Academy at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) in Kuala Lumpur on January 11.

In her launch address, Ermieyati said she is confident that AIAC is positioned to realize its aspirations in making Malaysia the preferred ADR destination in the region.

“The Government recognizes the important role that the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) sector plays within the legal and judicial system in the development of the nation.

“Over the last 40 years, ADR mechanisms such as arbitration and mediation have served as instruments to secure access to justice for disputing parties whilst at the same time improving the efficiency of the dispute resolution framework.

“Given the recent flood tragedies, we can anticipate that more and more proceedings will be brought forth to the courts. In this respect, the launch of the AIAC Academy is timely as the ADR sector will require even more professionals that are equipped with the skills to resolve these disputes in a more holistic manner through arbitration, mediation and construction adjudication, thus reducing the burden on the courts,” she said. 

The AIAC Academy would be the focal point for all AIAC courses, workshops and certification programmes such as the Arbitration-In-Practice Workshops, Adjudicators Continuous Competency Development Workshops, Mediation Training Workshops and AIAC Certificate of Adjudication programme.

Through the AIAC Academy, the ADR community will have access to first-class innovative, dynamic, practical and comprehensive skills-based ADR programmes that will also equip them with the specific industry know-how and practical knowledge to assist them in their role as counsels, arbitrators and adjudicators in these proceedings.

The AIAC Academy is in line with the AIAC’s capacity-building mandate and aspiration to ensure continuous and sustainable development in the field of ADR and beyond. Significantly, it sees the AIAC coming full circle with the AIAC Academy as an extension of the AIAC’s offering of ADR products and services.

The launch was attended by AIAC Academy rector Tun Richard Malanjum and AIAC director Tan Sri Suriyadi Halim Omar.

Malanjum said it is equally important on the part of the AIAC to ensure that the neutrals they appoint must possess the necessary qualifications and committed to keeping abreast of developments in the law, and having an understanding of the cultural nuances in Peninsular Malaysia, East Malaysia and the region.

Suriyadi in his speech hoped the AIAC Academy would be able to fulfil the demand in the market for ADR education of world-class quality to ensure that ADR professionals are well equipped with the necessary expertise, knowledge and skills to be able to effectively manage ADR proceedings.