at Penang
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The Judiciary is one of the important pillars of our democratic system. One of the important principles in Rukunegara is Kedaulatan Undang-Undang (Rule of Law).
However, the public confidence on the independence, impartiality and integrity of judiciary is at its lowest point. The video clip has opened the Pandora box.
72 hours has passed and the office of Chief Justice did not issue any rebuttal statement or denial.
There are other recent developments that have brought the judiciary into disrepute.
Firstly, the delay by judges in issuing written judgment. It has been reported that there are at least 30 cases in which the judge had not provided written grounds or delivered judgment. In criminal cases, the Court of Appeal cannot hear appeals without written judgments.
Recent revelations that a judge, who had not given written judgments were nominated for a promotion, makes one wonder whether the current close system of appointing and promoting judges is for the best interest of the justice.
Secondly, the call for replacing English common law with Islamic law by the Chief Justice.
It is high time for us to launch a full investigation by a Royal Commission including reviewing cases and judgments. An independent judicial appointments commission also ought to be established.
A competent, independent and impartial judiciary is essential in upholding constitutionalism and the rule of law in Malaysia. Public and international confidence of the judicial system and in the moral authority and integrity of the judiciary is the utmost importance in a modern democratic Malaysia.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi rejected calls for the setting up of a royal commission of inquiry to look into the video controversy. The Attorney General also commented that there is no criminal element in the video clip. These are knee-jerk reactions to sweep the matters under the carpet.
I would like to call upon the public interest bodies and concerned Malaysians in general to step up the pressure to lobby for an urgent and immediate action to stop the rot and restore the public confidence towards the judiciary.
To the layman, justice must not merely be done, but must also be seen to be done.
1 comment:
seriously, there is a major breakdown into our 3 branches - legislative, executive and judiciary. The only hope now is to have the legislative do their role in bringing back senses into this country. Otherwise, the executive will continue to influence judiciary and lead the country into a state of confusion
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