Legal aid officers to help clear cases
The Star (28/5/08): The government intends to expand the scope and responsibilities of legal aid officers in an effort to clear backlogged cases, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim.
Mohd Zaid, who is in charge of law, told the house that the Government would amend the relevant laws to expand the powers of the officers so they could help those who could not afford to hire lawyers.
He also said the number of judges and magistrates must be increased as most of these cases were from the lower courts. With professional and better advice, people can settle their cases without having to bring them to court. This will indirectly reduce the pile of backlogged cases,” he told Chow Kon Yeow (DAP – Tanjung).
Mohd Zaid said the Government had agreed to allow mediation to solve certain cases after considering it for 10 years, adding that this was another effort to prevent some cases from being channelled to court.
On the recruitment of magistrates and other legal officers, Mohd Zaid said his department had started discussions with the Public Service Department to expedite recruitment.
Earlier, he told the house that the Government had agreed to set up a special commission for the appointment of judges and a special committee to study the backlog of cases.
Replying to Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS – Marang), Mohd Zaid said the Government acknowledged the separation of powers between the judiciary and executive.
He said the PM’s Department had no control over the appointment of judges and that it was only in charge of administration of court cases.
“We are not involved in anyway when the judges conduct their cases and carry out their duties,” he said.
To another question by Abdul Hadi on the Government’s payment to former Lord President Tun Salleh Abbas who was sacked, Mohd Zaid said the payment was not compensation.
“It is not because we feel guilty but the payment is to show our sympathy towards them, so it is not a matter of compensation,” he said.
Mohd Zaid, who is in charge of law, told the house that the Government would amend the relevant laws to expand the powers of the officers so they could help those who could not afford to hire lawyers.
He also said the number of judges and magistrates must be increased as most of these cases were from the lower courts. With professional and better advice, people can settle their cases without having to bring them to court. This will indirectly reduce the pile of backlogged cases,” he told Chow Kon Yeow (DAP – Tanjung).
Mohd Zaid said the Government had agreed to allow mediation to solve certain cases after considering it for 10 years, adding that this was another effort to prevent some cases from being channelled to court.
On the recruitment of magistrates and other legal officers, Mohd Zaid said his department had started discussions with the Public Service Department to expedite recruitment.
Earlier, he told the house that the Government had agreed to set up a special commission for the appointment of judges and a special committee to study the backlog of cases.
Replying to Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS – Marang), Mohd Zaid said the Government acknowledged the separation of powers between the judiciary and executive.
He said the PM’s Department had no control over the appointment of judges and that it was only in charge of administration of court cases.
“We are not involved in anyway when the judges conduct their cases and carry out their duties,” he said.
To another question by Abdul Hadi on the Government’s payment to former Lord President Tun Salleh Abbas who was sacked, Mohd Zaid said the payment was not compensation.
“It is not because we feel guilty but the payment is to show our sympathy towards them, so it is not a matter of compensation,” he said.
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