Bar Council chairman Sulaiman Abdullah today made a plea to the new chief justice to restore the judiciary to its former glory.

He said that Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah could achieve this in his two-year term as the country's top judge, pledging that the Malaysian Bar will fully support him (Dzaiddin) in this matter.

"We are prepared to sacrifice to get back to the old glory days and we pray to you to give us back our tradition, a judiciary with courage and integrity," said Sulaiman.

He said this at the first sitting of the Federal Court for this year at Bangunan Sultan Sulaiman in Kuala Lumpur this morning when Sulaiman addressed the bench in his capacity as the Malaysian Bar president.

High standard

Dzaiddin, appointed to the post on Dec 20, took his place in the bench for the first time with six other Federal judges.

Later in the day, Dzaiddin presided with two other Federal justices to hear four appeal matters.

Sulaiman told Dzaiddin that the Bar Council looked forward to working closely with him to ensure that the legal profession attains a high standard.

Also present were the new Attorney-General Ainum Mohd Saaid, senior judges, members of the AG Chambers and several senior lawyers.

Stern challenges

In her address, Ainum, who replaced Mohtar Abdullah at the beginning of the year as the nation's seventh AG, said she agreed with what Dzaiddin had said on an earlier occasion that "law must not be seen as being static".

She said the judiciary faced stern challenges and hoped that Dzaiddin will give direction and encouragement to the AG Chambers for them to cooperate in overcoming the challenges.

Ainum said that the judiciary must attain a position for it to be regarded in awe and respect.

She added that the people must again consider the judiciary as their protector, and that the institution must play its role to ensure the stability of the nation.

"The judiciary can't be seen as being partial as it will then easily destroy its respect," she said.

Intense criticism

Dzaiddin, taking over from Eusoff Chin who retired on Dec 19, reiterated his now often made pledge that the judiciary must improve itself to help restore its prestige.

The judiciary had come under intense criticism over the judgments handed down on a number of cases including those involving jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

There were also allegations of judicial misconduct involving the former CJ.

Dzaiddin also assured that the first sitting of the Federal Court next year will be more organised.