One of the courtrooms that has been given a facelift. — Photo courtesy of ZAIRIL KHIR JOHARI
High Courts’ idle underground paths, found in Penang and Ipoh, can be put to good use, says deputy minister
UNDERUTILISED tunnels beneath high court buildings can be turned into tourism products, says Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) M. Kulasegaran.
Such tunnels that are now not used and left idle could be found under the Penang High Court and Ipoh High Court buildings, he said.
“These tunnels were used to bring the accused straight into court, but now they are no longer in use,” he said in his speech at the project handover of the restoration of the Penang High Court building in George Town.
Kulasegaran said the tunnels could be put to good use, such as for tourism purposes.
“These can be turned into tourism products for visitors, and this can create more jobs,” he said.
The RM19mil upgrading and conservation of the Penang High Court building, which began in December 2021, was completed on July 13 this year.
The restoration of the building included addressing issues such as roof leaks, termite damage, humidity problems, fungal growth and water stains.
Filepic of the restored Penang High Court that will fully open in November.
Kulasegaran said the building would be fully open by November this year.
“Among the scope of work and components involved were upgrading of the roof, wall and floor structures, upgrading of electrical and mechanical systems like the lifts and pavement, and painting the existing fence,” he said, adding that there would be additional courtrooms to accommodate more sittings and proceedings.
“We need to speed up criminal case hearings, as I believe that justice delayed is justice denied.
“Delaying cases is unfair, so I have discussed with the Chief Registrar to maybe increase the number of judges to hear more cases here,” he said.
Also present were Public Works Department (JKR) director-general Datuk Roslan Ismail, Federal Court Chief Registrar Datuk Zamri Bakar, Penang infrastructure, transport and digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, Penang JKR director Ahmad Nadzri Abdul Majid, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng and Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh.
The Penang High Court building was one of the main landmarks that led to George Town’s inscription as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2008.
The National Heritage Act of 2005 gazetted the building, constructed in 1901 and opened in 1905, as a national heritage.
