Azalina: Special courts to be set up nationwide in stages
SHAH ALAM: The Special Criminal Court for Sexual Crimes Against Children will be established across the country, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Azalina said the establishment would occur in stages, with special courts set up in Selangor, Johor and Sarawak by the end of the year in the first phase.
“(On Wednesday), I presented a memorandum to extend the establishment of the special court nationwide. The cabinet agreed for the courts to be set up in four phases, with the first phase involving three states with high rates of sexual crimes against children.
“We hope with these special courts, we will be able to solve sexual crimes against children within a year, as directed by the chief justice, and also send a message that the government will not delay prosecution in these states,” Azalina said at the “Child Sexual Crimes in 2017” seminar organised by Badan Amal dan Kasih Negeri Selangor here on Thursday.
Present was Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar.
Azalina said the second phase would see the special courts set up in Kedah and Perlis (simultaneously), and Kelantan and Pahang.
The third phase involves Penang, Negri Sembilan and Melaka, while the fourth phase covers Sabah, Perak and Terengganu.
Azalina said the move was prompted by the fact that cases registered in the first special court in Putrajaya were quickly resolved.
“There were 303 cases registered (in Putrajaya) within three months of the court being established. Of that number, 255 cases, or 84 per cent, have been solved.
“This proves that the court achieved its objective and solved the cases efficiently in less than 12 months.
“The (new) courts in (other states) will also be equipped with facilities as (the one) in Putrajaya, such as court recording transcription and audio visual systems.
“We hope the Permata Foundation will finance waiting rooms for child witnesses in these states, as is done in Putrajaya.”
She said to ensure the smooth operation of the special courts in the 12 states, specialised training for judicial and legislative officials on the handling of child sexual crime cases would be implemented. Bernama