PUTRAJAYA: Justice will soon travel the back roads, with Labour Courts set to go mobile to reach workers and employers far from courthouses.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the Mobile Labour Court would be introduced by August to bring labour justice closer to rural and interior communities, while saving time and costs.
He said the initiative would begin with three specially modified vehicles operating across the peninsula under the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department, targeting areas with limited access to existing Labour Court facilities.
“A sum of RM5mil has been allocated as a start and the rollout will be phased throughout the year.
“The period until August allows the department to finalise the operational plan and ensure information on the mobile court is widely disseminated,” he said after a visit to the department yesterday.
“This will make the process easier for everyone. Workers will know where the court will be stationed and how the services will move. Everything has been planned, but it takes time to implement effectively,” he added.
As part of broader efforts to modernise labour administration, he said Labour Courts would also be strengthened through the installation of digital recording systems.
An allocation of RM1.8mil has been approved for the system, which will be installed at six Labour Courts located at Labour Offices in Ipoh, Alor Setar, Muar, Rawang, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu.
He said the system would speed up hearings, enhance transparency and ensure labour case records are managed more systematically and efficiently, in line with the national digitalisation agenda.
The ministry is also developing an Integrated Labour Management System to replace data-recording methods that are more than two decades old.
The RM9.26mil project, to be implemented over 36 months from November 2025 to November 2028, will incorporate artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cloud computing and an AI chatbot.
Ramanan said the system, which will be rolled out in stages from 2026 to 2028, is expected to improve operational efficiency and support ease of doing business for industry players.
Meanwhile, he said the Trade Union Affairs Department, Industrial Relations Department and Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department will be merged to optimise manpower needs, reduce bureaucracy and allow for more flexible staff deployment.
“We are here to facilitate, not frustrate. Every process involves costs, and this initiative cuts costs for everyone, workers and employers alike,” he said, adding that it would be unfair to raise wages while forcing workers to bear travel expenses and income loss just to attend court proceedings.
On labour education, Ramanan said the ministry would continue to emphasise awareness and compliance through its Labour Education Programme.
A total of 222 programmes were conducted nationwide in 2025, involving 45,821 participants comprising employers, workers and trade unions.
An allocation of RM600,000 was channelled to the programme last year and distributed to the Labour Department’s headquarters and 13 state offices.
“These programmes are aimed at strengthening understanding of rights, responsibilities and compliance with Malaysia’s labour laws among all stakeholders,” he said.
