Embrace technology, says CJ

Let the proceedings begin: (From left) Chief Judge of Borneo Datuk Seri David Wong Dak Wah, Malanjum and Liew striking the gavel to launch the opening of the Legal Year 2019 as Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Ahmad Maarop and Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim look on in Putrajaya.

PUTRAJAYA: The Chief Justice has called on legal professionals to embrace the use of technology in efforts to have an effective Judiciary system.

Tan Sri Richard Malanjum said the use of technology was the only way to tackle problems such as cramped parking space, the distance between interstate courts, and heavy bags.

“We responded (to the problems) with the use of technology. We are on the 4th Industrial Revolution. We must adapt to be able to compete successfully,” he said in his speech at the Opening of the Legal Year 2019 at a hotel here yesterday.

Malanjum said there was no other way in moving forward as technology was the only way to go.

“Adapt or be dropped,” he added.

For the past year, the Judiciary has seen the implementation of e-review in case management at the appellate level.

No more lining up by lawyers from 9am onwards. They can do case management from the comfort of their office or home.

“For the other courts, the system will be extended by March this year,” said Malanjum.

He also said he took note of the increasing price of flight tickets and hotel rates.

“These can increase the burden of clients and the public. We also noted the traffic jam on the Federal Highway between Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam,” he said.

To tackle this, he said video conferencing service will be available between Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Shah Alam by the end of this month and will be expanded to other areas later.

Malanjum also envisioned the courts to be using less paper by June.

Lawyers should no longer be carrying bundles of documents to the court.

“All files will be in the form of virtual files within the Case Manage­ment System (CMS). Imagine coming to court carrying just your tablet,” he said.

Yesterday, 500 guests comprising High Court judicial commissioners, High Court judges, Court of Appeal judges, Federal Court judges, higher management of the office of the Federal Court Chief Registrar and judicial officers attended the Opening of the Legal Year 2019.

During the ceremony, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of law, Datuk Liew Vui Keong, launched a book entitled Judicial Review Guide for Public Officers: An Introduction.

The book can be downloaded from the judiciary’s website (www.kehakiman.gov.my).