KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): The Malaysian Bar has defended its support for e-Jamin in May 2024, saying it was unaware that the bail payment system operated without a formal contract between the government and its operator, Dapat Vista (M) Sdn Bhd.
The Bar in a statement said its support was aimed at ensuring accused persons, particularly those from the B40 group, could pay bail quickly and avoid unnecessary detention. eJamin allows accused persons and their sureties to pay court bail outside banking hours.
The Bar opposed plans to discontinue the system from May 19, 2024, after being informed of the decision on May 13, warning that a return to manual payments could delay the release of accused persons.
Citing the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 5, 2026, the Bar expressed concern that eJamin had operated for years without a formal contract, despite the Finance Ministry’s requirement for an agreement to protect the government’s interests.
The report also raised concerns over bail money management, with the Attorney General’s Chambers advising in March 2024 that the funds constituted public money and should comply with constitutional and financial requirements.
The Bar said the findings exposed serious governance and accountability gaps. It called on the government to require written contracts and service-level agreements for public services to safeguard public funds and ensure accountability.
It also urged politicians not to politicise its involvement, stressing that it neither owned nor operated e-Jamin and lacked the PAC’s investigative powers.
The Bar called on MPs to question the Finance Ministry, the Prime Minister and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) to clarify the issues and address the governance failures.
It said the priority must be to safeguard bail money, ensure proper accounting and timely refunds, and protect the administration of criminal justice and the rights of accused persons.
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