KUALA LUMPUR: The government must address shortages of court personnel, particularly interpreters, following concerns that accused persons could be held on remand for years due to delays in court proceedings, says an opposition MP.
Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) said the shortage was a serious issue that required the government's attention, citing the case of an Orang Asli man who spent nearly nine years on remand partly due to the absence of a court interpreter proficient in the Seletar language.
He questioned why the number of positions allocated to the Federal Court Chief Registrar's Office remained unchanged at 5,539 for both 2026 and 2027 despite concerns over insufficient court personnel.
"I would like clarification from the government, particularly the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), on why the number of positions appears to remain unchanged between 2026 and 2027, at just 5,539," he said when debating the Supply Bill at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Nov 2).
Takiyuddin said the shortage of court interpreters was particularly concerning as it could contribute to prolonged detention for accused persons awaiting trial.
He cited the case of Jambi Anak Chang Taa Nam, an Orang Asli from the Seletar community who was initially charged with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code in connection with an offence committed on Nov 21, 2017.
According to Takiyuddin, the accused remained on remand at a prison in Johor Baru for nearly nine years due to several issues affecting court proceedings, including the unavailability of a Seletar-language interpreter.
"Because of problems in the court, including the absence of an interpreter for the Seletar Orang Asli community, the accused was remanded for almost nine years in a prison in Johor Baru," he said.
He said the man's lawyer eventually submitted a representation to the Attorney General, who agreed to reduce the murder charge under Section 302 to a charge under Section 304 of the Penal Code.
Takiyuddin said Jambi subsequently pleaded guilty and was released, adding that the accused had endured years of detention before the case was resolved.
"He pleaded guilty because he could no longer bear being in prison, and he was subsequently released," he said.
Takiyuddin also referred to a statement by Chief Justice Tun Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh that it was unfair for an accused person to remain in remand for more than two years before being brought to trial.
"The Chief Justice said, and I quote: ‘It is unfair for an accused person to have to wait more than two years in remand before their case is heard’.
“Court interpreters play a crucial role in ensuring judicial proceedings could be conducted without unnecessary delays,” he said.
Meanwhile, Takiyuddin also raised concerns over the workload faced by officers at the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC), questioning the government's decision to involve the department in programmes outside its core responsibilities.
He cited the Kampung Angkat Madani programme, which involved infrastructure projects such as road construction, fishing jetties and football fields.
"Is the government aware that the workload borne by officers at the Attorney General's Chambers is said to have reached a critical level in terms of its operations?" he asked.
He said AGC officers were already responsible for drafting legislation and handling thousands of civil cases involving the government, apart from criminal matters.
"What is the government's policy in involving government departments in programmes that fall outside their jurisdiction or scope of responsibilities?" he asked.
