PUTRAJAYA (March 19): The Government is proposing the setting up of a special court to specifically handle corruption-related cases, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahatihr Mohamad said today.

The proposal was made in order to speed up corruption-related trials, said Mahathir, and partly in light of the people demanding for justice to be served to those who are ultimately found to have practiced corruption.

“The reason is we find that the trials regarding corruption is regarded as ordinary trials without any priority [by the existing courts],” said Dr Mahathir.

“We understand that the normal courts are very busy. But the people are asking where is the punishment for the crimes committed by certain individuals,” he said.

Dr Mahathir said this at a press conference after the seventh Cabinet Special Committee on Anti-Corruption (JKKMAR) meeting here.

Dr Mahathir also assured that the Government “will not interfere with the processes of the court” and that the judges will be appointed through the usual manner.

“We are still trying to finalise and define this proposal,” he said.

“Normally we have three layers of courts, so if we introduce the court for [corruption], the appeal will still go to the ordinary court [of appeal]. That may mean that again, [the case] may not get the attention of the ordinary court,” he said.

“We may want to have a court that will hold the hearing as soon as possible,” he added.