Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail today said he would do "whatever it takes" to help expedite the slow disposal of cases involving hiring of illegal workers.

Although he declined to comment on Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim's statement that prosecuting officers should be blamed for the slow disposal of cases as well, Abdul Gani said the question of who is at fault should not arise.

"As far as I am concerned, there is a problem. As to whose fault it is, to me, it does not matter. What matters is that there is a problem and I will do whatever it takes to solve the problem," he said when contacted.

He said cases involving illegal workers and employers are under the responsibility of the prosecution unit of the Immigration Department.

Today, The Star quoted Ahmad Fairuz as saying that the courts are not to blamed for the slow disposal of cases involving hiring of illegal workers.

It reported that the chief justice had put the blame squarely on the shoulders of prosecuting officers for not objecting to adjournment applications, failing to inform the courts of the urgency to dispose the case and failing to notify the court that the influx of illegal workers in the country was due to the failure to punish employers.

Ahmad Fairuz made the statement in defence of the courts against criticisms from Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Home Minister Azmi Khalid who said the courts were too lenient or slow in handling these cases.

He also cautioned that their criticisms were subjudice and bordered on contempt of court.

Be practical

Meanwhile DAP chairperson Karpal Singh said the chief justice should not take offence with the comments.

The renowned and experienced lawyer said the comments made by the deputy prime minister and home minister did not impinge on the judiciary's independence.

"I cannot see how commenting on delay in disposal of cases and suggesting speeding up cases involving employers who had allegedly hired illegal immigrants can impinge on the independence of judicial officers," he said in the statement.

He said instead of silencing those who want to know why justice was being delayed, Ahmad Fairuz should deal with the matter in a transparent manner.

"The CJ should be practical and pragmatic. He should catch the bull by the horns. Sidestepping what has to be encountered head-on amounts to emulating the proverbial ostrich," he added.