Biro Bantuan Guaman

As mentioned in our previous post, apart from the Bar Council Legal Aid Center, Biro Bantuan Guaman (Legal Aid Bureau) is another organisation which provide free legal aid to the general public in Malaysia too.  

The Biro Bantuan Guaman (BBG) is a governmental body under the Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang, Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Legal Affair Division, Prime Minister’s Department) providing legal advice and help to deserving members of the public.

Like the Legal Aid Centre (LAC) run by the Malaysian Bar Council, the BBG provides FREE legal ADVICE and REPRESENTATION to individuals who pass their qualifying criteria. In addition, they also provide subsidised legal services, and if you do not qualify for this either, they still provide guidance.

They have branches in all states and federal territories in Malaysia and have a very informative website of their services (http://www.bheuu.gov.my/bbg/latarbelakang.shtml).

Criminal / Syariah / Civil

The BBG will provide legal advice on all aspects of the law.

However, they only provide representation for certain types of cases (see http://www.bheuu.gov.my/bbg/perkhidmatan.shtml).

The main distinction between the BBG and LAC is that the BBG will only represent clients in criminal cases where the client pleads guilty to his or her charge. The exceptions to this are in small criminal offence (Kesalahan kecil jenayah) and child criminal (Jenayah kanak-kanak) cases.

Cases may be referred to the LAC or their external panel of lawyers - but the cost is borne by the BBG so long as clients meet their qualifying criteria and their cases fall under their scope of assistance.

What you should bring to a BBG branch:

You should carry the following documents when visiting a BBG branch:
1) Identity Card
2) Children’s identity cards / birth certificate (if applicable)
3) Marriage certificate (if applicable)
4) Divorce certificate / papers (if applicable)
5) Details of defendant (accused party) e.g., name, age, job, employer, etc.
6) Any other supporting and/or relevant documents

What happens after you walk into a BBG?

You will undergo a means test (see details below) and if successful, you will be required to pay a small registration fee of RM2.00 and fill up some forms at the premises. After the forms are submitted, an interview will be conducted to determine the full details of your case and actions that need to be taken thereon.

You will be required to sign a statutory declaration confirming your annual income is within the qualifying criteria set by BBG, and have this certified by a Commissioner of Oaths. Bear in mind that any applicants providing false information will be persecuted.

Means test

There are two main categories an applicant may fall into. Failing which, you can apply to the Director of BBG for a special exemption.

i. First category - Free Legal Aid
 Applicants whose yearly income does not exceed RM25,000 (i.e. RM2,083 per month)

ii. Second category - Subsidised Legal Aid
 Applicants whose yearly income is more than RM25,000 but does not exceed RM30,000 (i.e. RM2,500 per month).

iii. Special exemption
 Applicants who do not qualify for the first or second category can apply for a special exemption to obtain legal aid with the approval from the ministry (Y.B. Menteri). This application is made through the Director of the BBG.

Where are the BBG located?

Address and contact details for BBG branches located nationwide are found at:
http://www.bheuu.gov.my/bbg/cawangan.shtml

The official BBG website is:
http://www.bheuu.gov.my/bbg/index.shtml

Biro Bantuan Guaman KL Branch Tel No.: 03-2694 2700