I refer to your report dated headlined, ‘Teoh inquest to hear application for video link’ .

The report states that testimony via video link “has been done in Sabah and Sarawak, where they have native courts to hear cases in remote areas.”  Please note that this statement is misleading and erroneous.

Testimony via video conferencing in Sabah and Sarawak is at the present time used by the civil courts only. It is used to hear chamber applications between courts in major cities and towns. It is a cost and time saving measure to obviate the necessity of travel by judges, court officers and lawyers between big towns where possible.

It has also been used for a criminal trial proceeding under Section 272B of the Criminal Precedure Code where the taking of evidence of witness was done via video conferencing between Kuching and Bintulu.

Presently video conferencing has not been extended to hearing native court cases in remote areas for the simple reason that the infrastructure to support such a facility is not available.

The author is Registrar at the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak, Kuching Court Complex.