ISKANDAR PUTERI: The new Johor Baru Court Complex here is expected to begin operating on Jan 1 next year, replacing the existing facilities in the city centre, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said the two-building complex, built on a 6.87ha site, is located in Kota Iskandar.
“The new facilities are equipped with 24 courtrooms, comprising seven High Court, eight Sessions Court, eight Magistrates’ Court and one Special Court, as well as judges’ chambers, temporary lock-ups, an auditorium, kindergarten and multi-purpose hall.
“The complex is more than just a new facility. We want to ensure more organised operations, a more conducive environment and most importantly, better access to justice,” she said at the project handover ceremony on Tuesday (Sept 29).
She added that the facilities must also keep pace with technological developments and the digitalisation of the court system to ensure case management and service delivery could be carried out more efficiently.
She said the existing court building at Jalan Ayer Molek, Johor Baru, would be handed back to the Johor government after the relocation.
“I will also be seeking an audience with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, about a proposed name change for the new complex and for him to officially launch the facilities,” she added.
Meanwhile, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who also witnessed the handover ceremony, said the project cost RM194.5mil and took about three years to complete, from Feb 8, 2023, to Sept 20 this year.
“This project is among 11 projects nationwide, with a total value of RM736mil, implemented by my ministry.
“These include the new Temerloh Court Complex in Pahang, Sri Aman Court Complex in Sarawak and Ipoh Court Complex in Perak,” he said.
