Azalina said this was decided on following a discussion with new Chief Justice Md Raus Sharif at the Palace of Justice today.
“In principle, the Chief Justice agreed on the establishment of the Special Criminal Court which is expected to begin in June in Putrajaya.
“Judges and legal practitioners will undergo special training organised by the Judicial and Legal Training Institute (ILKAP) in the near future to ensure that proceedings and case hearings will proceed smoothly,” she said in a statement today.
Azalina pointed out that the establishment of the Special Criminal Court showed the commitment of the government in curbing sexual abuses against children and protecting them holistically while at the same time launching case hearings involving children.
On Tuesday (April 4), the Dewan Rakyat passed the Sexual Offences Against Children Bill 2017 which, among others, considers children as competent witnesses for sexual crime cases.