BAGAN DATUK, Jan 13 — The prosecution and trial process of pending human trafficking cases will be resolved with the setting up of a special court to handle the issue this year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the establishment of the special court was very vital to prove the government’s seriousness in hearing human trafficking cases whether being committed by individuals or agents locally and abroad.

"The issue of human trafficking is an old issue and because such cases are heard in the civil court or various courts (others), the judges come from diverse backgrounds.

"Hence, the Home Ministry has proposed that this special court has a judge who possesses expertise in this issue (human trafficking),” he told reporters after opening the ‘Multaqa Permuafakatan’ programme participated by mosques officers and religious teachers of Bagan Datuk district here today.

Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif yesterday announced that the special court would be set up in May or June this year with the initial locations at Klang, Selangor; Ipoh , Perak; Melaka; Muar, Johor; Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and Balik Pulau, Penang. — Bernama