PUTRAJAYA: The Human Resources Ministry will introduce three mobile labour courts by August to enhance access to Labour Court services.
It has also announced the merger of three departments and a stronger push towards digitalisation.
Its minister, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, said the introduction of mobile labour courts is a game-changer, with an allocation of RM5 million provided under Budget 2026 for the initiative, which will be implemented in phases throughout 2026.
“There is no need to go to court; the courts will come to you,” Ramanan said when announcing the initiative in Putrajaya this morning.
“We need time to disseminate information about the mobile labour courts, so we have scheduled the rollout by August this year. However, if everything goes smoothly, we may start earlier.”
The mobile labour courts aim to assist workers in rural and remote areas by reducing the time and cost involved in attending court, ensuring more inclusive and people-friendly access to labour justice.
For now, the mobile courts will operate only in Peninsular Malaysia.
“Eventually, it will be available in Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Ramanan also announced the merger of three departments under the ministry – the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia, the Department of Employment Coordination and the Department of Industrial Relations – in a move to reduce bureaucratic red tape.
“We are here to facilitate, not frustrate. We have had discussions on the merger and will announce the name of the new entity soon,” he said.
He added that the ministry is strengthening labour court efficiency through the installation of a Digital Recording System (DRS), in line with the national digitalisation agenda.
The initiative, involving an allocation of RM1.8 million, will be implemented at six Labour Courts – Ipoh, Alor Setar, Muar, Rawang, Kuantan and Kuala Terengganu.
“This initiative will expedite trial proceedings, enhance transparency and ensure more systematic and efficient management of labour case records,” Ramanan said.
He added that the ministry is also developing an Integrated Labour Management System to replace existing data-recording methods that are more than 20 years old, with an allocation of RM9,255,276.
“The system will utilise the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cloud computing and AI chatbots,” he said.
“Implementation will be carried out in stages from 2026 to 2028 and is expected to improve operational efficiency and support ease of doing business for industry players.”
Ramanan said the ministry would also continue emphasising education and awareness through the Labour Education Programme.
This follows 222 labour education programmes conducted throughout 2025, involving 45,821 employers, workers and trade union members.
“We spent RM600,000 on this last year. These initiatives helped enhance awareness among workers, employers and stakeholders of their rights, responsibilities and compliance with labour laws,” he said.
Separately, Ramanan welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that Umno would remain part of the unity government.
Ahmad Zahid made the remarks yesterday despite calls by Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh for the party to withdraw its support and move to the opposition.
Ramanan said the Madani government was like a family, with differences inevitable but leaders united in direction.
“There will be disagreements from time to time, as all families experience,” he said.
“Sometimes it is the children who argue with their parents, sometimes siblings fight among themselves, but at the top, the leaders share the same direction.”