Kuala lumpur: The shortage of court interpreters, especially for Chinese and Tamil languages, has become a pressing issue, prompting calls for the government to engage with relevant agencies regarding a potential salary increase. Court of Appeal President Datuk Abu Bakar Jais emphasized that raising salaries would not only recognize the contributions of current interpreters but also attract more individuals to the profession.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Abu Bakar Jais expressed hope that the government would examine the proposal and implement it swiftly if feasible. He noted that interpreters are crucial for court operations, stating, “Without interpreters, the court will not be able to hold sessions.” He voiced his support for their promotion and a possible pay rise during the 19th Bi-Annual General Meeting (Extraordinary) of the Union of Interpreters and Translators, Ministry of West Malaysia. The event was attended by Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim.

The media previously reported that Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin urged the government to consider increasing the starting salary for court interpreters to tackle the manpower shortage, particularly in Chinese and Tamil languages. During the debate on the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat, she highlighted the interpreters’ vital role in ensuring the judicial system’s smooth operation.

Additionally, Chief Justice Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh described interpreters as the backbone of the judicial process, essential for the efficient functioning of court proceedings. He underscored that court duties require teamwork and that interpreters’ roles extend beyond mere translation in court settings. His speech, read by Abu Bakar, emphasized the broader perspective needed when considering the role of interpreters.