More IO, chemists needed to resolve pending criminal cases

PUTRAJAYA: The lack of investigative officers and chemists has proven to be an impediment for the judicial institution in resolving pending criminal cases.
Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Arifin Zakaria (pix) said the judicial body had been trying to expedite such trials but was hampered by the shortage, especially in Selangor.
"The problem is that most (cases) involve the same investigative officer and chemist. Some of them have to be in different courts in one day.
"The investigative officers that are supposed to investigate other cases will be in court everyday ... and the chemists have to do their work in lab as well," he told a press conference after attending the ceremonial opening of the Legal Year 2017 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
He said the police and the Department of Chemistry Malaysia need to increase the number of investigative officers and chemists to overcome the issue of pending trials in court.
He said another reason that contributed to pending criminal trials was the limited number of criminal lawyers in the country.
He said many lawyers in Malaysia were more interested to practice in civil law, which contributes to the low percentage of criminal lawyers.
"Maybe it is because the pay is not very high and not as lucrative as civil work.
"The Malaysian Bar can play its role to encourage more lawyers to engage in criminal practice to help overcome the shortage of criminal lawyers," he said.
On the issue of his retirement this year, Arifin confirmed that the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) has identified his successor.
He said a decision has been made and the candidate had received the approval from the JAC.
"It is only a matter of time but I cannot announce who is taking over from me as it will be a breach of secrecy," he said.
Arifin was supposed to retire in September last year but had his term extended until April 2017.