PETALING JAYA: The judiciary is planning to implement the Special Corruption High Court in every state nationwide in future, says the Chief Justice.
Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh said the current set up at the lower court level was yielding results and there are plans to eventually establish at least one such High Court in every state, including Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the judiciary will ensure judicial appointments and training remain rigorous to uphold efficiency and public confidence.
ALSO READ : CJ: Dedicated court model works
“Once the High Court level proves successful in disposing cases efficiently, we will explore implementing it nationwide.
“Ideally, we will expand to at least one such High Court in every state including Sabah and Sarawak,” he said in an exclusive interview with Sunday Star.
On the experience of the High Court judge handling the special court set up in Kuala Lumpur starting April 1, the top judge said the placement of a High Court Judge in Peninsular Malaysia was the prerogative of the Chief Judge of Malaya.
“In this context, the Chief Judge must have considered all factors including the experience of a particular judge, his or her legal knowledge in that specific field and of course the judicial temperament,” he said.
“We have a training committee within the judiciary. It provides training to judges from time to time, and includes sending our judges abroad for international seminars.”
On whether there was sufficient experienced judges to have Special Corruption High Courts nationwide, the top judge said: “Of course, we have.”
As to whether the specialised courts can further uplift public confidence, he said the question can only be answered with the passage of time.
“At our level (as judges), we have to try our best, taking into account that justice delayed is justice denied.”
On Jan 20, the Federal Court’s Chief Registrar’s Office announced that the judiciary had set up a Special Corruption High Court to hear corruption cases and appeals from the Special Corruption Sessions Courts.
The setting up of the special court follows a royal decree by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, at the opening of the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament on Jan 19.
His Majesty had stressed the need for experienced judges and a dedicated pathway to ensure corruption cases are resolved quickly.
The statement from the Federal Court Chief Registrar’s Office also noted that the initiative reflects the judiciary’s commitment to integrity and handling corruption cases efficiently, transparently and effectively.
