The new Attorney-General
WORLDVIEW<br>Harun RashidPublished: Dec 19, 2000 8:22 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Enter a new era. The appointment of a new Attorney-General provides an opportunity to put an end to a decade of serious abuse which has issued from the AG's Chambers. The restoration of public faith and trust in the judiciary is possible. The experience of the appointee is certainly a proper foundation upon which refreshing change can be built.
For the past 10 years the present prime minister has exercised no vigilance over the conduct of the office. Any number of very questionable prosecutions have been put forward, and there has been no investigation or objection from the prime minister, or for that matter, any minister in the government.
Many crimes have occurred without prosecution. The Attorney-General gives no answers why these matters escape the attention of his office. The prime minister himself is the subject of police reports regarding his obstruction of justice, in a recent instance involving more than 300 signatories to a police report requesting that allegations against him be investigated with despatch and vigour.
The Attorney-General personally participated in the prosecution of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, which is acknowledged by jurists around the world to be a politically motivated prosecution. The allegations of corruption in high office have gone without investigation, and there is a public impression that the Attorney-General has not been free to act independently.
The Attorney-General was seen in photographs with the Chief Justice, allegedly taken while on vacation with a member of the legal profession representing a client with political connections to the party in power.
This association has brought the Malaysian judiciary into international disrepute, and neither the Attorney-General nor any member of the government has made mention of the damage that has occurred. On the contrary, all report that all is well, and there is no need for an investigation. It is the Attorney-General himself who has most recently brushed aside any hint of wrongdoing.
Fresh air
The Agong and the Conference of Rulers have appointed a Chief Justice who gives every appearance of being a capable and honourable man. He takes his office tomorrow. He is soon to be joined by the new Attorney-General, of equal merit, chosen to aid him in the immense task of correcting the wretched wrongs of the past decade.
It is as though the windows are open at last. We breathe the fresh air. There is the light of new hope that comes in with sun. It is a new day. Let us rejoice in the renewal of life, and as we can, where we can, to do good and fight evil, in solemn accord with the heaving of our hearts and the commandments of our God.
HARUN RASHID is a scientist avidly interested in the application of Islamic principles in international affairs. The promotion of goodwill through civilisational dialogue motivates his writing. His [#1]Worldview column[/#] is a personal analysis of Malaysian affairs from a global perspective.
For the past 10 years the present prime minister has exercised no vigilance over the conduct of the office. Any number of very questionable prosecutions have been put forward, and there has been no investigation or objection from the prime minister, or for that matter, any minister in the government.
Many crimes have occurred without prosecution. The Attorney-General gives no answers why these matters escape the attention of his office. The prime minister himself is the subject of police reports regarding his obstruction of justice, in a recent instance involving more than 300 signatories to a police report requesting that allegations against him be investigated with despatch and vigour.
The Attorney-General personally participated in the prosecution of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, which is acknowledged by jurists around the world to be a politically motivated prosecution. The allegations of corruption in high office have gone without investigation, and there is a public impression that the Attorney-General has not been free to act independently.
The Attorney-General was seen in photographs with the Chief Justice, allegedly taken while on vacation with a member of the legal profession representing a client with political connections to the party in power.
This association has brought the Malaysian judiciary into international disrepute, and neither the Attorney-General nor any member of the government has made mention of the damage that has occurred. On the contrary, all report that all is well, and there is no need for an investigation. It is the Attorney-General himself who has most recently brushed aside any hint of wrongdoing.
Fresh air
The Agong and the Conference of Rulers have appointed a Chief Justice who gives every appearance of being a capable and honourable man. He takes his office tomorrow. He is soon to be joined by the new Attorney-General, of equal merit, chosen to aid him in the immense task of correcting the wretched wrongs of the past decade.
It is as though the windows are open at last. We breathe the fresh air. There is the light of new hope that comes in with sun. It is a new day. Let us rejoice in the renewal of life, and as we can, where we can, to do good and fight evil, in solemn accord with the heaving of our hearts and the commandments of our God.
HARUN RASHID is a scientist avidly interested in the application of Islamic principles in international affairs. The promotion of goodwill through civilisational dialogue motivates his writing. His [#1]Worldview column[/#] is a personal analysis of Malaysian affairs from a global perspective.
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