LEGAL ADVISOR ON ECONOMIC ASPECT OF MALAYSIA

The introduction to the organisation and function of the EPU (Economic Planning Unit) of the Prime MInister's Department of Malaysia says "The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) was established in 1961, to serve as the Secretariat for the preparation of the development plans, both the medium and long-term plans, for the country. It has been mandated to be responsible to formulate the outline perspective plan and the five-year development plans for the nation. It is also the central planning agency responsible for approving programmes and projects as well as determining the allocation ceiling for national development. This task has remained basically unchanged since its establishment, with the addition of new tasks and responsibilities like privatization, the Foreign Investment Committee and other new areas."

This organisation is one of the most vital and influential not only as a unit per se in the PM's Department but to the Malaysian government as a whole. So much is under its prerogatives and control that in the recent visit by the MB of Selangor, Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi kept referring to EPU when discussing issues brought up by the former. We shall look into the organisation of EPU in future posts. Suffice to say at this juncture that whoever is paid to perform their duties, to shoulder the responsibilities and to monitor the the jobs as well as its processes in this Unit must remember one thing: YOU ARE BEING WATCHED ALL THE TIME. SO WHATEVER YOU SAY OR DO OR OTHERWISE MIGHT BE USED AGAINST YOU IN COURT OF ALLAH, ALL- KNOWING, AL-SEEING.

SECTIONS DIRECTLY UNDER THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL

A. Secretariat to the Foreign Investment Committee

(1) Process applications and make recommendations for acquisition of assets and interests as
well as mergers and takeovers of companies.
(2) Monitor and evaluate investment activities to ensure they are in line with the corporate
equity restructuring objective.

B. Management Services Section

Provide administrative, financial and personnel support to EPU.

C. Secretariat to the National Development Planning Committee.

D. Legal Section

(1) Give legal advice on the interpretation of laws, terms of contracts, terms of agreements and
other legal documents.
(2) Resolve any legal issue and any other matter of legal character.
(3) Draft and vet any proposed law/Bill or amendments of laws, rules, regulations, orders and
notifications.
(4) Draft and vet all legal documents such as privatization agreements, procurement contracts,
guarantees, letters of undertaking, memorandum of understanding, consultancy agreements
and other types of agreements.
(5) Assist / participate in the negotiations of the agreements.