Reman lebih 2 tahun sebelum bicara tidak adil, kata ketua hakim negara

Johor Bahru – The Chief Justice of Malaysia, Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, has expressed concern over defendants being held in pre-trial detention for over two years before their cases can be heard. Speaking at the recent Johor Baru Law Society dinner, he emphasized that the most crucial aspect of any criminal case is the freedom of an individual. He stated that it is unjust to make someone wait more than two years in detention before their case is heard.

Wan Ahmad Farid criticized the delays within the legal system, which often result in defendants being convicted before a fair trial can take place. In a recent case, an Orang Asli man accused of murder was released after serving nine years in pre-trial detention, while his case was still at the charge stage. In another separate instance in June, the High Court in Kota Bharu released a bus driver who had been detained for over four years due to drug charges.

The Chief Justice also expressed gratitude to the State Legal Department for their positive response to the legal representation provided by the defendants. He highlighted that these measures would help reduce the number of complaints, alleviate the burden on the legal system, and save valuable time in legal proceedings.

In addition to these initiatives, the Chief Justice announced the establishment of a Special Judicial Academy to provide continuous and intensive training for high courts judges. The academy aims to raise the standards of judges by exposing them to international best practices and ensuring they are equipped with advanced knowledge and specialized skills necessary to uphold the integrity of the legal system.

"We want to move away from the old approach of trial and error in building judicial expertise," he said. "Our goal is to ensure that every judge involved in legal proceedings possesses the deep and specialized legal acumen required to meet the expectations of all parties involved. Our efforts are focused on strengthening the quality of the legal system to ensure that our responsibilities are fulfilled accurately and effectively."