ALL remand proceedings will be held at police stations, and not at courts, during the ongoing movement control order (MCO) period.

Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat has agreed to this temporary arrangement based on a request from Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mazlan Mansor. 

Mazlan had written a letter to the Federal Court Chief Registrar earlier today to apply for magistrates and court registrars to conduct remand proceedings at police stations during the MCO period. 

He said this was necessary to lower the risk of contracting Covid-19, by minimising movement, practising social distancing, as well as overcoming logistical issues faced by police now actively involved in roadblocks and patrols to enforce the MCO nationwide. 

In a reply, chief registrar Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh said Tengku Maimun agreed to the request. 

However, the CJ imposed certain conditions on the police. 

Police are required to inform the courts early when there is a remand application, ensure the safety of court officers and staff as well as lawyers (if any), safeguard the right of suspects to be represented by lawyers, and abide by the Covid-19 management guidelines issued by the Health Ministry from time to time. 

Previously the CJ had ordered all court hearings to postponed until the end of the MCO period. 

The MCO was implemented on March 18 to curb the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, and is expected to end on April 14. – April 1, 2020.