NO PLANS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian government has no plans to
set up a constitutional court as the existing legislative provisions are capable
of handling cases on the Federal Constitution and the state.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Abdul
Aziz said high courts nationwide had the jurisdiction to hear any case
pertaining to the interpretation of the Federal Constitution.

"This allows a case to be heard immediately without being limited to a
specific court," he said in reply to a question from Senator Ahmad Rusli
Iberahim at the Senate here Monday.

Ahmad Rusli wanted to know if it was necessary to create a constitutional
court based on the current and future situation.

Mohamed Nazri said, according to Article 128(2) of the Federal Constitution,
without prejudice to any appellate jurisdiction of the Federal Court, should a
question arise as to the effect of any provision of the Constitution, the court
will have jurisdiction to determine the question and remit the case to the other
court to be disposed off, accordingly.

-- BERNAMA