AN Orang Asli man accused of murder spent almost nine years on remand, partly due to the lack of a court interpreter for his native language, says Opposition chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
Takiyuddin (PN-Kota Baru) cited the case while urging the government to address shortages of court personnel, particularly interpreters, amid concerns that accused persons could remain on remand for years due to delays in court proceedings.
He referred to the case of Jambi Anak Chang Taa Nam, an Orang Asli from the Seletar community, who was initially charged with murder over 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 system, 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 to one of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Jambi subsequently pleaded guilty to the lesser charge and was released, Takiyuddin said.
Takiyuddin also referred to a recent statement by Chief Justice Tun Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh that it was unfair for an accused person to remain on remand for more than two years before being brought to trial.
“Court interpreters play a crucial role in ensuring judicial proceedings can be conducted without unnecessary delays,” he said.
Takiyuddin also questioned why the number of positions allocated to the Federal Court Chief Registrar’s Office remained unchanged at 5,539 in both 2026 and 2027, despite concerns over insufficient court personnel.
He 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 AGC has reportedly reached a critical level?
“The officers are already burdened with drafting Bills and handling thousands of civil and criminal cases involving the government and its agencies,” he said.
