“The government gives priority to this matter as it involves the life of accused persons,” he told reporters after the launch of a coffee table book titled “Palace of Justice” by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said.
Arifin, who retires this week, said this when asked if payments of legal fees to court-appointed lawyers were affected since the government had slashed allocations to ministries.
It is a practice that those who face charges carrying capital punishment must be represented by lawyers if they cannot afford to engage counsel.
Such lawyers appear during trial in the High Court and during appeals in the Court of Appeal and Federal Court.
Among the offences that carry the death penalty are murder, drug trafficking, kidnap and discharge of firearms.
Meanwhile, Azalina in a speech today said “something would be in store from the government” for Arifin after his retirement.
“I will make sure of this as long as I am the de facto law minister,” she said.
When approached later, Arifin declined to comment.
To questions about his post-retirement plans, Arifin, who was interviewed by the media yesterday, said he would accept a consulting position at a law firm in a manner similar to that of other retired judges.
“Why not? You need some income and something to fill up the time. I need to be active, otherwise my mental capacity will be reduced,” he had said.