KUALA LUMPUR – The online bail payment system e-Jamin will continue to function as normal following a new decision to reverse an earlier directive on its termination from May 19.
A source close to the matter told Scoop that the Finance Ministry, as custodian of the bail bonds, has reinstated the system. Meanwhile, the judiciary is to enter into a new agreement with company Dapat Vista (M) Sdn Bhd to continue e-Jamin operations.
The reversal is being attributed to miscommunication and misinformation that the close-to RM200 million in bail money and accrued interests in the system belonged to the government, when in fact the monies belong to bailors.
With the reversal, bailors will be able to continue posting bail for accused persons through online banking transactions under e-Jamin, which is the first of its kind in Malaysia and Southeast Asia – launched in 2020 to speed up the posting of bail in court cases nationwide.
Dapat Vista is a subsidiary of Pertama Digital Bhd, which on Thursday announced in a filing with Bursa Malaysia that it had been directed by the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court to transfer all e-Jamin funds and accrued interest to the Prime Minister’s Department.
This was to be part of the move to stop the e-Jamin system from May 19, and was communicated to Dapat Vista in a letter on April 30, Pertama Digital said in its bourse filing.
The move would have seen bailors having to resort to conventional bail processes involving trips between the court and banks.
News of e-Jamin’s cessation two days ago led to some lawyers expressing concern about its impact on the public, as well as over the sudden and arbitrary decision without any apparent rationale.
A memorandum signed by 51 lawyers was handed to the Prime Minister’s Office today demanding transparency and an explanation, and for e-Jamin to be continued until an alternative is developed.
The Bar, meanwhile, had a meeting with the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court yesterday to appeal for a deferment of the termination.
A circular from the Bar today informed members of this meeting, where several concerns were raised, including the ramifications of terminating e-Jamin and the potential impact on accused persons – particularly those from the B40 group who might face prolonged incarceration due to the administrative change.
The e-Jamin system streamlines the payment and refund of bail monies, reducing the long waiting and queues in court.
It would allow bailors to post bail via electronic devices by filling up an online form and making a payment via FPX. – May 17, 2024