PUTRAJAYA: The proposal to broadcast live proceedings of high-profile corruption trials must first be examined against existing legal provisions before it can be implemented, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
To date, most court proceedings have been recorded in audio form, but none have ever been aired live, she noted.
"I am not sure what the legal regulations are, but approval from the court would be required. Normally, proceedings are recorded, mostly in audio form, which is already being done in many cases.
"However, if this matter is to be taken seriously, it would need to be discussed with the Chief Justice," she told reporters after attending the monthly assembly and Jalur Gemilang flag-raising ceremony here on Wednesday (Aug 27).
Recently, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki suggested that live telecasts of such proceedings could help boost public confidence in the judicial process.
Azam argued the move was necessary as some parties had been using social media to distort court facts, leading to baseless allegations.
Separately, Azalina expressed her appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for proposing the creation of a dedicated Law Ministry to ensure the country's legal ecosystem is better coordinated and integrated.
"That was the Prime Minister's suggestion, and I thank him for it. He will evaluate the matter and make the decision," she said.
The Prime Minister had raised the idea on Aug 21, stressing that such a ministry would enable Malaysia to engage more meaningfully with regional partners in advancing the rule of law, particularly within Asean. – Bernama
