All court cases to be conducted in open court to curb Covid-19 spread

KUALA LUMPUR: All case management requiring parties to be present in court must be conducted in open court, and not in chambers, as a measure of precaution in dealing with Covid-19.

A spokesman from the judiciary's corporate communications unit has confirmed that a notice was issued on the matter as a precaution.

The spokesman however denied rumours that a judge was infected with Covid-19.

"It is not true about the judge," the spokesman told The Star in a brief message.

The notice, dated Friday (March 6) and issued from the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, also said that all mediation cases involving parties to be present at court are deferred until further notice.

The courts involved are from the level of Magistrate's, Sessions and up to the High Courts in the Peninsula.

The order is effective on Friday and is signed by Federal Court judge Justice Datuk Seri Mohd Zawawi Salleh on behalf of the Chief Judge of Malaya.

A quick check at the courts also saw a notice posted at a courtroom, urging the public and lawyers to wear face masks while dealing with the courts.

In an immediate response, Kuala Lumpur Court director Ahmad Kamar Jamaluddin also denied rumours about judges afflicted with Covid-19 and confirmed the standing order for case management and mediation.

A message has been circulating on Friday morning, alleging that a judge has been tested positive for Covid-19 while another was suspected to have the virus.

On Thursday, the Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee chairman Harleen Kaur said in a notice that a member who attended its annual general meeting on Feb 27 had been tested positive.

She said that the Health Ministry was aware of the case and had told members who had attended the meeting and are now exhibiting symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath to seek medical advice.

Malaysia has so far recorded 50 cases of Covid-19, with 22 patients already recovered. - Star