Malaysia approves RM5 million to roll out mobile labour courts in August

Malaysia is planning to introduce Mobile Labour Courts across Peninsular Malaysia beginning August, a move aimed at improving access to labour justice, and particularly for workers in rural and remote areas who often struggle to attend hearings due to cost and distance.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan said the first phase will see three mobile court units deployed with an allocation of RM5 million, before the initiative is expanded to Sabah and Sarawak.

“This initiative will make the process easier for everyone. People will no longer need to go to court; the court will come to them,” Ramanan said after a visit to the Peninsular Malaysia Department of Labour (JTKSM).

“This is a game changer, as the mobile labour court brings proceedings directly to affected communities, eliminating the need for parties to travel long distances for hearings.”

He said hearings conducted closer to the public would reduce transportation costs, travel time and income loss for workers, many of whom are minimum-wage earners.

“Workers earning RM1,700 should not be burdened with travel costs and lost income simply to pursue labour claims. This is about being progressive and ensuring access to justice is fair and practical for everyone,” he said.

Ramanan confirmed that rollout plans are in place, with locations and schedules to be announced gradually. The mobile courts will primarily operate in rural and hard-to-reach areas, while playing a lesser role in urban locations where existing courts are already accessible.

At the same time, the Labour Court infrastructure will be strengthened through digitalisation, with six offices, Ipoh, Alor Setar, Muar, Rawang, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu, to be equipped with digital recording systems at a cost of RM1.8 million.

Ramanan also announced that three key labour agencies - JTKSM, the Trade Union Affairs Department and the Industrial Relations Department, will be merged to improve service delivery and enforcement.

“Why separate them when the issues are interconnected? We are bringing smaller families together into a bigger family,” he said, adding that the merger would streamline functions, reduce overlaps and enhance resource sharing.

Currently, there are only around 300 enforcement officers in Peninsular Malaysia and 100 in Sabah and Sarawak, numbers he described as insufficient to monitor the nation’s employment landscape.

In support of broader labour modernisation, an Integrated Labour Management System (SPPB) powered by artificial intelligence is also being developed, with RM9.25 million allocated and completion targeted for 2028.

Ramanan stressed that the mobile labour court initiative is driven by empathy and proactive governance. “We are here to facilitate, not frustrate,” he said.