Centre for Commercial Law and Regulatory Studies - Malaysia Hub

(CLARS-MH)

The Centre for Commercial Law and Regulatory Studies - Malaysia Hub at Monash University Malaysia was established following a series of high-level engagements with the Legal Affairs Division of the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office. Recognising Monash’s global reputation and expertise in commercial law, the Division invited Monash to spearhead law reform initiatives in Malaysia, beginning with the reform of the Contracts Act 1950. CLARS-MH represents a strategic partnership between Monash University Malaysia and Monash University Australia, positioning the Hub as a catalyst for impactful legal research, innovation and policy reform in Malaysia and the wider Southeast Asian region.

The Hub drives impact through education, training, and research in commercial law and regulatory studies:
- Works with the School of Business and the Faculty of Law to design innovative, practice-oriented programs.
- Provides specialised training, workshops and consultancies to meet the evolving needs of stakeholders in Malaysia and across the region.
- Leverages a network of experts and practitioners to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, equipping professionals, policymakers and industry leaders with practical skills and insights.
- Prioritises the recruitment and supervision of high-quality PhD candidates.
- Invites prospective doctoral researchers to join Monash University Malaysia and conduct cutting-edge research under the guidance of experienced academics from the Hub, strengthening Malaysia’s capacity for world-class scholarship and shaping the next generation of leaders.
The Review and Reform of Contract Law in Malaysia is a flagship CLARS-MH project:
- Led by Associate Professor Adnan Trakic (Primary Chief Investigator) and Dr Ridoan Karim (Associate Investigator).
- Focuses on reviewing and reforming the Contracts Act 1950, which has underpinned Malaysia’s contractual framework for over 70 years but has seen minimal reform since its introduction.
- Supported by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department, which established the Committee for the Review and Reform of Contract Law (CRRCL) in January 2025.
- CRRCL is chaired by The Honourable Justice Dato' Seri Vazeer Alam bin Mydin Meera, Judge of the Federal Court of Malaysia.
- Brings together the judiciary, Malaysian Bar, academia and government to deliver reforms that are both principled and practical.
- Aims to modernise the Act by refining language, clarifying definitions, and removing outdated illustrations.
- Explores stand-alone legislation in areas such as third-party rights and agency.
- Expected outcome: comprehensive legislative proposals in 2026, representing a decisive step towards clearer, fairer and future-ready contract law for Malaysia.
CLARS-MH drives engagement through strong collaborations and strategic partnerships:
- Forged close partnerships with key stakeholders, including government ministries and agencies, particularly the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Office (BHEUU).
- Works actively with the Malaysian Judiciary, the Malaysian Bar Council, and leading universities such as the National University of Malaysia (UKM) and the National University of Singapore (NUS).
- Engages the wider public through initiatives that connect law, policy and society.
- Expands its reach by shaping discourse and policy in collaboration with global institutions, with a strong focus on the ASEAN region.
- Positions itself not only as a participant but as a leader of transformative change in commercial law and regulatory studies.

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Centre for Commercial Law and Regulatory Studies - Malaysia Hub

(CLARS-MH)

Back to Our Research

Back to the School of Business