Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan tabled the amendments to the Courts of Judicature Bill 2020; Subordinate Courts Bill 2020; and Subordinate Courts Rules Bill 2020 for its first reading on Monday .
Under the Subordinate Courts Bill, the government seeks to introduce a new section that enables sessions and magistrates’ courts, in the interest of justice, conduct the proceedings of any cause or matter, be it civil or criminal, or hold any inquiry through a remote communication technology. The Bill also seeks to introduce Section 107a which empowers the Chief Justice to issue such practice directions as may be necessary after consulting the President of the Court of Appeal or the Chief Judge.
However, both the Bills tabled noted that the introduction of the new section does not affect the provisions related to evidence by a child witness by means of a live link under the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007 and evidence by a protected witness under the Criminal Procedure Code and the Evidence Act 1950.