KUCHING: Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli has reported on the performance of the region’s courts last year, highlighting achievements and identifying areas for improvement.
He said the High Courts of Sabah disposed of 76 per cent of the registered civil cases and 65.2 per cent of the criminal cases while in Sarawak, the High Courts disposed of 73 per cent of the registered civil cases and 49 per cent of the criminal cases.
“In the Sessions Courts of Sabah, 77.02 per cent of registered civil cases and 82.96 per cent of criminal cases were disposed of last year.
“In the Sessions Courts of Sarawak, 69.78 per cent of registered civil cases and 81.23 per cent of criminal cases were disposed of.”
Abdul Rahman said this during the opening of the Legal Year for Sabah and Sarawak 2025 held at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here on Friday (Jan 10).
As for the Magistrates Courts in Sabah, he said 81.13 per cent of civil cases and 92.56 per cent of the criminal cases were disposed of.
“In the Magistrate Courts in Sarawak, 83.65 per cent of the registered civil cases and 92.67 per cent of the criminal cases were disposed of,” he said, adding the percentage of disposed of cases include those carried over from the previous years.
To drive continuous improvement, he said he has reminded all Judges, Judicial Commissioners and Officers to closely monitor the progress of their cases.
“While it may not be possible in some instances to resolve cases within the timelines due to factors beyond the court’s control, there are other areas where we can improve to ensure a more efficient way of disposing of the cases without compromising on justice and fair play.
“Pre-trial case management, for instance, is one key factor that we must continuously work on to facilitate the smooth and expeditious disposal of cases.”
He also urged all Judges, Judicial Commissioners and Court Officers in Sabah and Sarawak to deliver their grounds of decision in a timely and expeditious manner.
“Do remember that providing reasons for our decisions is our fundamental duty as judge or judicial officer.
“Decisions without reasons are nothing more than empty shells. Hard on the outside but nothing inside,” Abdul Rahman said.
