KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- The shortage of court interpreters, particularly in Chinese and Tamil, requires urgent attention, with calls for the government to engage with relevant agencies on the possibility of a salary increase.
Court of Appeal President Datuk Abu Bakar Jais said a salary increase would be an effective step to honour existing interpreters’ contributions and draw more people into the profession.
“I hope the government will study this matter and, if feasible, implement it as soon as possible, because without interpreters, the court will not be able to hold sessions.
“In appreciation of the work interpreters do, I personally fully support their promotion and consideration for a pay rise,” he said when met by reporters at the 19th Bi-Annual General Meeting (Extraordinary) of Union of Interpreters and Translators, Ministry of West Malaysia here today.
Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim was also in attendance.
The media had earlier reported that Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin urged the government to consider raising the starting salary of court interpreters to address the manpower shortage, particularly for Chinese and Tamil.
While debating the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat, she said the matter deserved attention as interpreters played an important role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the country’s judicial system.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh described interpreters as the backbone of the judicial process, ensuring the smooth conduct of court proceedings, noting that without their services, the courts would not be able to function efficiently.
“As we all know, court duties cannot be performed single-handedly, as they require teamwork.
“Interpreters must be viewed from a broader perspective, as their role goes beyond merely translating the language used in court proceedings,” he said in his speech at the event.
The text of his speech was read by Abu Bakar.
--BERNAMA
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