2-year remand before trial unjust, says CJ

Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh has expressed his discontent over the lengthy remand periods for accused individuals before their trials, claiming it to be unjust. During a recent dinner in Johor Bar, the Chief Justice highlighted the gravity of the issue, emphasizing that criminal cases, which revolve around the liberty of a human being, are particularly affected by such delays.

He firmly stated that it is fundamentally unjust for an accused person to remain in remand for more than two years prior to the commencement of their trial.

In a concerning revelation, the Chief Justice cited the case of an Orang Asli man who was released after spending nine years under remand, with his trial still pending at the prosecution stage. Similarly, in June, a lorry driver languished in remand for over four years awaiting trial over a drug offense. The Chief Justice commended the Attorney-General's Chambers for reviewing and positively responding to the representations made by solicitors for accused persons, leading to a reduction in charges and a decrease in the court's burden.

Furthermore, the Chief Justice announced the establishment of a Judicial Academy, specifically dedicated to continuous and rigorous training of superior court judges. This academy aims to maintain high standards of judicial training by constantly challenging, upskilling, and exposing judges to global best practices, ensuring that they possess the deep and specialized acumen required to command the respect of the court.

The Chief Justice emphasized that this initiative is aimed at refining the judiciary, ensuring that judges are prepared to handle their responsibilities with precision and command the respect of the courtroom.