New chief justice pledges faster disposal of capital punishment cases

PUTRAJAYA: The 14th Chief Justice Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif has pledged to reduce the time taken for the disposal of capital punishment cases up to the Federal court within three years.
These steps, he said, are a part of his predecessors' reforms in the judiciary which he will ensure would continue during his tenure.
"Prior to the reforms in the judiciary introduced by then-Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi and Tun Arifin Zakaria, capital punishment especially murder cases took up to 10 years before they reach the Federal Court.
"Currently, after the reforms it takes about four years now," he told reporters following an oath-taking ceremony at the Palace of Justice, here, today.
While the judiciary will give reasonable time to deal with cases, he said judges will be aiming to dispose of capital punishment cases within a targeted time frame.
"We are hoping to dispose of capital punishment cases within a year at the court and nine months each at the Court of Appeal and Federal Court," he said.
Raus also plans to address the high number of back-logged cases with the High Court judges, the Attorney-General's Chambers and members of the police force by next week.
"There is a high volume of cases especially drug trafficking at the High Court level in Shah Alam.
"More often than not these cases are often delayed due to the fact that the same chemist and (IO) investigation officer are involved in several cases at once.
"I am aware of this situation and hope to meet those involved by next week to find a solution to this problem," he said.
Md Raus, 66, was appointed as the new Chief Justice of Malaysia today, succeeding Arifin who retired as Chief Justice after reaching the age of 66 years and six months.
Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin was made Court of Appeal president, replacing Md Raus, while Federal Court judge Tan Sri Ahmad Maarop was appointed Chief Judge of Malaya, succeeding Zulkefli.
All the appointments are effective April 1.