DE FACTO law minister Liew Vui Keong has welcomed the judiciary’s support of government efforts to digitalise the courts through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and information technology.

Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak David Wong Dak Wah on Friday announced courts in the two states will be using AI to assist judicial officers in determining appropriate sentences for certain criminal offences.

Wong also announced the launch of a self-representing litigation app and a website for the East Malaysian courts.

“Support from the nation’s top judges is crucial,” said Liew in a statement today.

“As the world progresses in technological advancements, law and technology are bound to converge.

“The legal profession must not shy away. It must embrace digitalisation: in which the Sabah and Sarawak judiciary have led an exemplary path for legal practitioners across Malaysia to follow.”

Liew said the federal government is also adopting AI initiatives such as e-bail and e-review to reduce the need for lawyers and litigants to physically appear in court.

“These digital initiatives do not only facilitate easy access to justice by removing the necessity for physical presence of parties in court, but are also environmentally conscious efforts that seek to reduce the usage of paper and carbon footprints incurred in travel,” Liew said.

“Through 2020, the government will continue to pursue and introduce additional AI initiatives to digitalise the courts and secure easy access to justice for all.”

Wong, who will retire next month, said the application is currently at a pilot test phase and is expected to be operational by the end of this month. – January 20, 2020.