KOTA BARU: The government hopes that amendments to the Small Estates (Distribution) Act 1955 will help tackle inheritance issues and clear backlog cases.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said backlog stood at 72,384 cases early this year.
"The backlog cases in the country are high, with Kedah topping the list at 3,000 and Kelantan recording over 7,000.
"To solve the problem, the government is making new regulations to speed up the process.
"The amendments are with the Attorney-General's Department for a final scrutiny. Hopefully, it can be completed by the end of the year," he said after opening the Kelantan state-level inheritance case arrears settlement clinic here today.
He said an average of 60,000 cases were received by the inheritance department annually.
"The government is planning to appoint some 100 contract workers to assist us in solving the backlog.
"They will be hired beginning January next year,"
Takiyuddin also said there was low awareness among the public on the proper way to distribute inheritance and the government would continue to help them.
The amendments of Small Estates (Distribution) Act 1955 were approved by the cabinet on Dec 22 last year.