KOTA KINABALU: Mobile legal aid services, or "justice on wheels", are now available in Sabah's Penampang district, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

       The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) said the service is expected to be expanded to Pitas in February, Telupid in May, Paitan in June, Sukau in September and Tungku in October.

       In officiating the programme, she said an accessible legal system and assistance is important so that people in rural areas too can enjoy the benefits of the law and justice system and are not denied the right to getting legal aid.

       This is so that those living far from the city can understand their rights better, and know how to exercise these rights according to the law.

       Azalina said there was no use for the Federal Government to come up with policies and laws if not everyone gets to enjoy its benefits just because they are not aware of the law.

       She said those who are not familiar with their legal rights may become victims of circumstances, and have others abuse their rights.

       “For example, in scam cases, what do you do and where do you go from there if you fall prey to such scams?” she asked.

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       Azalina said workers too need to know their rights, or else they might be taken advantage of and so "justice on wheels" plays a part in creating awareness and disseminating information apart from providing cheap legal aid.

       “That is why 'justice on wheels' was launched and it is only right if this complements the existing mobile court services in Sabah,” she said, adding this is for households earning a certain monthly income and they just need to pay RM10 for each consultation.

       She said the issue in Sabah is infrastructure and amenities, where it is difficult for many rural folks to travel far out just to seek legal advice or assistance when needed.

       Mobile courts themselves also have their own barriers reaching folks on the ground due to geographical factors such as distance, challenges on road conditions that require the use of four-wheel-drive vehicles and so on, said Azalina.

       She said there was also a need to evaluate the system applied in mobile courts, and take into account technological advances when handling cases via mobile courts.