KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said lawyers in Sabah should provide free legal advice and representation to those who can't afford it as part of their social responsibility.
He said law firms can build pro bono projects into their business model to enhance their reputation and give back to the society.
"I hope that the Sabah Law Society (SLS) will ensure that everyone has access to fair justice and continue to expand representation to those unrepresented in Sabah," he said at the SLS inaugural gala night at a hotel here.
Hajiji's speech was delivered by Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
He said the SLS embodied professionalism, entrusted with the vital responsibility of regulating the conduct of legal practitioners in Sabah.
"It plays an essential role in upholding the rule of law, a cornerstone upon which any just and equitable society firmly rests.
"I wish to see the Sabah Law Society's continued rise to excellence. I want to see it evolve into a symbol of legal eminence, setting elevated standards for lawyers in our region.
"In order to achieve this, it is imperative for the society to remain attuned to modern practices and fully embrace innovation," he said.
Nonetheless, Hajiji said that as a guardian of justice, the Sabah Law Society must extend its influence beyond the courtroom and fully embrace its role as a catalyst for positive societal transformation.
He said the state government valued the important partnership with the Sabah Law Society, among them was the setting up of the Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (BICAM), launched in July this year.
"We take pride in supporting and providing the initial funding of this significant milestone in our journey towards excellence in professional services and the promotion of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) not only in the Borneo region but also the broader Nusantara and BIMP-EAGA regions," he said.
Hajiji said the state government also appreciated the Sabah Law Society's invaluable contributions in shaping laws that impact Sabah.
"Your active involvement in stakeholder consultations is instrumental in ensuring that our legal framework aligns with the aspirations and needs of our state.
"We also recognise the pivotal role played by the Sabah Law Society in promoting foreign direct investment through legal visits to other countries.
"Your efforts in establishing connections and fostering international partnerships are vital in attracting investments that drive economic growth and create opportunities for our people.
"Indeed, your efforts complement the state government's push to attract investors to Sabah," he said.
Hajiji was also pleased to learn of the SLS' continued plans to host international law conferences in Sabah which also attract legal luminaries, scholars and experts from around the world.
He added that they will serve as platforms for the development of the state's human capital in addition to offering local legal practitioners and scholars the opportunities to engage with global thought leaders, gain insights into cutting-edge legal practices, and expand their horizons.
"We note the pivotal role the Sabah Law Society has played in hosting international law conferences, such as the SLS/LAWASIA Employment Law Conference this year as well as the upcoming SLS/Commonwealth Law Association Borneo Rainforest Law Conference to be held in February next year.
"Together, we can put Sabah on the map as a premier destination for legal discourse, enrich our human capital, and further strengthen our position as a region of growth and opportunity," he said.