Malaysia’s pre-trial detention system continues to disproportionately affect the country’s most vulnerable, said Malaysian Bar Council’s civil law and law reform committee M Ramachelvam.

Speaking at the forum held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, he stressed the need for a more equitable pre-trial detention system, including reforms on the bail system, moving away from “chain remands” that lead to prolonged detention, and decriminalising certain offences to reduce prison overcrowding...