KUCHING: The city is well-positioned to become the heart of Borneo’s legal diplomacy, bridging institutions and promoting values of fairness, collaboration, and professionalism.
Speaking at the opening of Borneo ADR Week 2025 (BAW2025) here today, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said Borneo is on the cusp of increased cross-border cooperation and investment, particularly in key sectors such as energy, logistics, infrastructure, and digital trade.
“These developments require legal frameworks and dispute resolution systems that are timely, efficient, and rooted in local realities,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Fadillah described it not merely as a legal tool, but as a vital component of economic infrastructure.
“An effective ADR ecosystem enhances investor confidence and complements the formal justice system. It strengthens Malaysia’s and Borneo’s competitiveness as destinations for foreign direct investment,” he noted.
As Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Fadillah stressed that ADR must be viewed as a strategic enabler that reinforces business resilience and deepens both domestic and cross-border commercial ties.
He called for a comprehensive approach to capacity building, involving government, industry, academia, and professional institutions.
Such collaboration, he said, is essential for establishing an internationally recognised ADR ecosystem in Borneo.
“These institutions must cultivate professionals who are technically proficient and culturally attuned to the Bornean context.
“They will form the backbone of a regional ADR system capable of managing complex disputes with professionalism and sensitivity,” he said.
Fadillah also stressed the importance of international collaboration to strengthen local talent and institutional capacity.
“This is not about building in isolation. We must engage with regional and global organisations, adopt best practices, and ensure access to top-tier training, mentoring, and real-world exposure,” he added.
He said a resilient ADR ecosystem requires more than local initiative; it demands sustained, cross-border partnerships involving arbitral bodies, courts, universities, and industries.
“With Borneo becoming increasingly integrated into global trade and investment networks, our dispute resolution framework must inspire confidence, not just locally but internationally,” he said.
Fadillah added that the Borneo ADR ecosystem should be recognised not only for its technical competence, but also for its fairness, cultural relevance, and enduring professionalism.
