Consider community service as a form of punishment - CJ

Chief Justice Richard Malanjum wants judges and magistrates to consider meting out punishments in the form of community service for lesser offences, instead of locking up such offenders in prison.

Justice Malanjum said there was such a provision provided for in the Penal Code.

The move, he added, could also help reduce congestion in prisons.

"The move has been implemented in Sabah where I feel it is successful. They (offenders) would wear the (prison) attire while doing community service.

"As they faced the public (while doing community service), they will then be ashamed, rather than be spending one or two weeks in prison," he told reporters after officiating at the Legal Year event.

Earlier in his speech, Justice Malanjum reminded judges to consider this form of punishment when sentencing.

He also said the judiciary has undertaken many reforms the past year, including introducing the e-balloting system where Federal Court judges seating on the bench are chosen randomly and not picked by the chief justice.

Justice Malanjum said the e-review system also helped lawyers facilitate case management as they could do it from their office or home.

"We sympathised lawyers who carried heavy bags to courts. We responded with the use of technology.

"We are in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We must adapt to be able to compete successfully. Technology is the way to go," he said adding that such practice had been in place in Sabah, from where he hails.

[More to follow] - Mkini