(Kuching, 25th) Sarawak is planning to establish a branch of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), marking an important step towards making Sarawak a major regional centre for arbitration and dispute resolution.
Sarawak Attorney-General Datuk Seri Shafee Ali stated that this move reflects Sarawak’s growing recognition as a location for resolving commercial disputes, and will also help strengthen the institutional framework necessary to support both domestic and international arbitration activities.
In his speech at the closing of the 'Introduction to Arbitration Course' on Tuesday (24th) in Kuching, Shafee pointed out that the Sarawak Institute of Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (SIADR) also plays an important supporting role in promoting the development of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
According to Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) reports, Shafee said that apart from managing dispute resolution procedures, SIADR is an important platform for professional development, raising professional standards in the legal, industry, corporate, and academic circles through education, training, certification, research, and knowledge exchange.
He said the Institute also plays a key role in improving public understanding of and confidence in arbitration and mediation mechanisms, helping all sectors to appreciate these mechanisms as efficient, low-cost, and commercially viable methods of dispute resolution.
"The presence of both the AIAC Sarawak branch and SIADR will lay a foundation for building a robust and sustainable arbitration ecosystem in Sarawak."
"This reflects the joint effort to cultivate local professional talent, strengthen institutional capacity, and establish Sarawak as a credible, neutral, and internationally recognized arbitration venue."
Shafee noted that the two-day Introduction to Arbitration Course, which commenced on June 23rd, is crucial for enhancing the Sarawak Attorney-General’s Chambers (SAGC) staff’s understanding of the arbitration system.
He said arbitration has become an increasingly important component of modern legal practice, especially in areas such as commerce, construction, investment, and cross-border transactions.
"As lawyers representing the Sarawak government, we must not only understand arbitration from a legal standpoint, but also from the perspectives of statutory authority, public accountability, and public interest."
"While litigation remains one of our core duties, arbitration has its own unique procedures, terminology, and strategic considerations."
"Therefore, we must be familiar with its fundamental principles, including arbitration clauses, venues and governing laws, institutional and ad hoc arbitration, the composition of the arbitral tribunal, interim measures, and the role of the courts."
Attendees included SIADR Vice Chairman and Senator Datuk Lau Hui Yew, Sarawak Deputy Attorney-General John Wayne Chamberlin Sirau, President of the Penang branch of the Asian International Arbitration Centre Professor Steve Ngo, plus several senior legal advisors and state legal advisors from the Sarawak Attorney-General’s Chambers.
In his speech at the closing of the 'Introduction to Arbitration Course' on Tuesday (24th) in Kuching, Shafee pointed out that the Sarawak Institute of Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (SIADR) also plays an important supporting role in promoting the development of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
According to Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS) reports, Shafee said that apart from managing dispute resolution procedures, SIADR is an important platform for professional development, raising professional standards in the legal, industry, corporate, and academic circles through education, training, certification, research, and knowledge exchange.
He said the Institute also plays a key role in improving public understanding of and confidence in arbitration and mediation mechanisms, helping all sectors to appreciate these mechanisms as efficient, low-cost, and commercially viable methods of dispute resolution.
"The presence of both the AIAC Sarawak branch and SIADR will lay a foundation for building a robust and sustainable arbitration ecosystem in Sarawak."
"This reflects the joint effort to cultivate local professional talent, strengthen institutional capacity, and establish Sarawak as a credible, neutral, and internationally recognized arbitration venue."
Shafee noted that the two-day Introduction to Arbitration Course, which commenced on June 23rd, is crucial for enhancing the Sarawak Attorney-General’s Chambers (SAGC) staff’s understanding of the arbitration system.
He said arbitration has become an increasingly important component of modern legal practice, especially in areas such as commerce, construction, investment, and cross-border transactions.
"As lawyers representing the Sarawak government, we must not only understand arbitration from a legal standpoint, but also from the perspectives of statutory authority, public accountability, and public interest."
"While litigation remains one of our core duties, arbitration has its own unique procedures, terminology, and strategic considerations."
"Therefore, we must be familiar with its fundamental principles, including arbitration clauses, venues and governing laws, institutional and ad hoc arbitration, the composition of the arbitral tribunal, interim measures, and the role of the courts."
Attendees included SIADR Vice Chairman and Senator Datuk Lau Hui Yew, Sarawak Deputy Attorney-General John Wayne Chamberlin Sirau, President of the Penang branch of the Asian International Arbitration Centre Professor Steve Ngo, plus several senior legal advisors and state legal advisors from the Sarawak Attorney-General’s Chambers.