Judges need to restore confidence in judiciary

LANGKAWI, 16 March 2009: Judges were today urged to strive to restore public and foreign investors’ confidence in the country’s judiciary.

Chief Justice of Malaysia Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi said among efforts that needed to made were putting judgements on the web for all to view.

“Judgements must be written fast and they must be put on the judicial website for all to view,” he said when officiating the Judges Conference 2009 here today.

He said judges must also pick cases that needed to be published in law journals.

Zaki said besides that criminal cases also should be resolved quickly so as to avoid accused persons from languishing in detention for long periods.

“The reduction in cases pending is not impossible to achieve and judges need to make changes in thinking and mode of working and also manage cases well,” he said.

Zaki said several efforts had been made to enhance management of courts like the restructuring of registration in some courts.

The judiciary had also appointed two judges from the Court of Appeal to manage cases in the Kuala Lumpur High Court to improve the efficiency of case registration.

“Management judges are also appointed all over Malaysia to manage cases and management of courts,” he said.

He said after having efficient case management, judges in the special powers and appeals division of the Kuala Lumpur High Court now heard twice as many cases than before.

Zaki said parties who wanted consent judgements in divorce cases in a short period can file cases in the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

He said a special Kuala Lumpur Commercial Court was set up to speed up hearing of commercial cases.

“Speedy, efficient and honest resolution of cases will enhance foreign investor confidence in Malaysia,” he said.

He said the number of judges in the Commercial Court in Kuala Lumpur had been increased while experienced judges in the Court of Appeal had been tasked to manage cases in Kuala Lumpur. – Bernama