Nazri looks into bid to close court

The New Straits Times 
by JASPAL SINGH

TAIPING HIGH COURT: Minister to discuss matter with chief justice

PADANG RENGAS:  WITH pressure from the public and the legal fraternity mounting against the proposed closure of the Taiping High Court, the government will  hold talks with the judiciary to resolve the issue.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said he would be meeting Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria to discuss the matter.

Nazri, who is also the de facto law minister, said the government respected the separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary.

"(However), I will be meeting the chief justice to discuss the closure proposal in the very near future," he said at a community programme in his constituency here yesterday.

Acknowledging that the closure was related to changes made in the jurisdiction of the Sessions and magistrate's courts, Nazri said the proposal was not advisable after taking into account the long-term needs for a court in Taiping.

"Perak is not a small state. It is one of the bigger states in Peninsular Malaysia," he said, adding that the proposal to close down the High Court, which was set up 20 years ago, was a regressive move.

"In the future, the Taiping High Court may serve not only the northern regions of Perak but also Penang and southern parts of Kedah."

The closure was suggested following amendments to the Subordinate Courts Act two years ago.

Under the amendments, magistrates have jurisdiction to hear claims of up to RM100,000. Previously, the limit was RM25,000.

Sessions Courts have been empowered to preside over civil claims of up to RM1 million, from RM250,000 previously.

On Saturday, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir had urged the Federal Government and the judiciary to reconsider closing Taiping High Court.