THE Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex, which had handled select cases in the movement control order (MCO) period, is now opening in stages while imposing tighter security control and thorough checks on visitors.

Checks by Bernama found the public and lawyers lining up from as early as 8am while adhering to social-distancing regulations.

They were required to fill up a form with their personal details, reasons for entering the building and which court they are heading to, before being allowed in.

The court management has also prepared three entrances – one for the public, lawyers and the press – with one counter allocated for people to check registered cases.

Everyone’s hands are sprayed with hand sanitiser and their body temperature recorded at the lobby.

The same procedure was implemented at the Palace of Justice, Putrajaya, as well as the Kajang and Selayang courts, where Bernama reporters were on duty.

In courtrooms, benches are marked “X” every 1m apart, and all individuals are required to wear masks, including judges, court officers, lawyers and members of the public.

Meanwhile, at the Appeals Court, counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who was present for a case, requested to take off his mask.

“May I ask permission from the court to remove my mask. My glasses are already fogged,” he said, before being allowed to do so.

According to a staff member, courtrooms will be opened in stages according to the magistrates and judges on duty.

“Only three rooms are open for the criminal high court, while four and five rooms are available for the magistrates’ and criminal sessions court, respectively. Four and six rooms are open for the civil magistrates’ and sessions courts, respectively, and seven rooms are open for the civil and commerce high courts,” he said.

Lawyer P. Chandran, who was attending a civil case, said the tight security imposed by the court management was crucial to contain the spread of Covid-19.

“We cannot simply enter the court and everyone must comply with the security measures to avoid transmission of the virus,” he said, adding that for civil cases, lawyers can request for a case management date online without having to come to court.

Another laywer, Nurhanida Md Mukhtar, and a visitor, S. Thivyashini, lauded the efforts taken by the court management, saying they had worked hard to ensure the public’s safety. – Bernama, May 13, 2020.