Bar Council: Time for a judicial commission
Published: Jun 5, 2006 5:25 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
In the wake of corruption allegations in the judiciary, the Bar Council today reiterated its call to set up a judicial commission.
In the wake of corruption allegations in the judiciary, it is imperative that the commission is set up.
In the wake of corruption allegations in the judiciary, the Bar Council today reiterated its call to set up a judicial commission.
Its chairperson Yeoh Yang Poh said the Malaysian Bar strongly supported the setting up of a permanent judicial commission that would be able to deal with the selection, appointment and promotion of judges.
The commission would also deal with issues concerning the conduct of judges and the administration of justice in a holistic manner, he added.
"Having a judicial commission to deal with these issues would make the process less subjective and far more consultative, transparent and accountable than the current practice," he said in a statement.
If implemented, he said, it will prove to be one of the greatest legacies that the government and the people of Malaysia could leave behind.
Poison-pen letters
On May 31, Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim admitted receiving poison-pen letters alleging corrupt practices among judges.
Commenting on this, Yeoh commended the chief justice for placing the 'thorny issue' in the public domain.
"Corruption is not limited to the monetary kind. It can also take the form of favouritism and partiality, wether founded upon personal interest, prejudice or simply ignorance," he said.
Allegations of corruption should not be dismissed outright just because they are by nature easy to raise but difficult to prove, he added.
As for the judicial commission, he said the Bar Council was willing and ready to work with the judiciary, the Attorney-General's Chambers and other authorities to make the commission a meaningful reality.
"The time has come, and the time must come, for a judicial commission," he added.
Yeoh said a just society cannot exist without a highly credible judiciary that fairly and efficiently dispenses justice, an institution that should be of the highest integrity and remain the furthest reproach though never far from critical examination.
"It needs to be an institution that has rightfully earned the genuine respect, trust and confidence of the people," he added.
To remain in a continuous state of good health, he said, the judiciary must possess a long-term strategy and capacity to deal with infractions that will from time to time occur due to the weaknesses in human nature and the imperfection of any human structure.
Its chairperson Yeoh Yang Poh said the Malaysian Bar strongly supported the setting up of a permanent judicial commission that would be able to deal with the selection, appointment and promotion of judges. The commission would also deal with issues concerning the conduct of judges and the administration of justice in a holistic manner, he added.
"Having a judicial commission to deal with these issues would make the process less subjective and far more consultative, transparent and accountable than the current practice," he said in a statement.
If implemented, he said, it will prove to be one of the greatest legacies that the government and the people of Malaysia could leave behind.
Poison-pen letters
On May 31, Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim admitted receiving poison-pen letters alleging corrupt practices among judges.
Commenting on this, Yeoh commended the chief justice for placing the 'thorny issue' in the public domain. "Corruption is not limited to the monetary kind. It can also take the form of favouritism and partiality, wether founded upon personal interest, prejudice or simply ignorance," he said.
Allegations of corruption should not be dismissed outright just because they are by nature easy to raise but difficult to prove, he added.
As for the judicial commission, he said the Bar Council was willing and ready to work with the judiciary, the Attorney-General's Chambers and other authorities to make the commission a meaningful reality.
"The time has come, and the time must come, for a judicial commission," he added.
Yeoh said a just society cannot exist without a highly credible judiciary that fairly and efficiently dispenses justice, an institution that should be of the highest integrity and remain the furthest reproach though never far from critical examination.
"It needs to be an institution that has rightfully earned the genuine respect, trust and confidence of the people," he added.
To remain in a continuous state of good health, he said, the judiciary must possess a long-term strategy and capacity to deal with infractions that will from time to time occur due to the weaknesses in human nature and the imperfection of any human structure.
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