Counter not closed early, but bailors were 'not present'

 

The Federal Court's chief registrar's office has denied reports that the bail counter had closed early on Thursday (April 20) - resulting in six accused being forced to remain in prison.

In a statement, it said the counter was open as usual and the 10 accused were allowed bail by the court, but only four bailors were present at the counter to process bail on the said day.

“Therefore, in the said case, bailors for the six accused were not present to process bail for the accused when the counter closed at 4pm, which is the normal closing time for the counter throughout the month of Ramadan.

“This resulted in the bail not being processed for the six accused,” it said.

The claims were published in a news portal through an article titled "6 to spend the weekend in prison as bail counter closes earlier” on Thursday.

According to the chief registrar’s office, the presence of bailors to process bail for the accused is part of a procedure that must be adhered to because their presence enables the court to know the identity of the bailor who is responsible for it.

The process also is to allow the counter to explain (verbally) to the bailor the terms, conditions and responsibilities of the bailor throughout the bail period.

- Bernama