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©The Star (Used by permission)

THE framework for the Judicial Appointments Commission is expected to be tabled at the Cabinet meeting in three weeks’ time.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said the commission may have between 12 and 14 members.

“The situation is fluid. There will be representation from a cross section of society. It will be balanced.

“We are looking at similar models that work, for example the English model. However, ours will be less complicated,” Zaid told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

He added that establishing the commission was something that had to go through Parliament first, with the draft expected to be tabled in the second session in June.

Asked if the Opposition would say aye to the formation of the commission, Zaid replied: “I believe if you do something good for the country, responsible politicians will agree to it.”

On the backlog of cases in courts, Zaid said reforms would be taken. He hoped to see results in six months.

The situation needed urgent redress, with nearly one million backlogged cases involving 91,702 cases in the High Courts ; 125,944 cases in the Sessions Court and 777,703 cases in the magistrate's courts, Zaid said in his written reply to Lim Lip Eng (DAP - Segambut).

“We want to make the justice system credible, fast and accessible. The lower courts are the public face of justice and this is where there is a high perception of unfairness,” said Zaid.

Among other suggestions were:

> Reorganise all positions in the courts, right from the chief registrar’s office. The restructuring proposal has been sent to the Public Administration Department for approval.

It is hoped the restructuring would allow for more job creation to handle matters faster.

> Have more High Court judges, magistrates, public prosecutors and defence lawyers to minimise the chances of cases getting postponed without valid reasons.

> Improve and make investigations as well as forensics procedures more efficient. This involves obtaining more advanced technology to enhance the analysis process.

> Improve case management and case scheduling. Allocation to be given to enhance e-filing and e-judiciary.

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