YOURSAY | ‘Raus’ insistence that the judiciary is free from influence is akin to blowing his own trumpet.’
CJ insists the judiciary is independent
Kim Quek: Chief Justice Md Raus Sharif has insisted that the judiciary is independent, and challenged the media to ask former senior judges who served as lawyers if this was true.
Raus, it is futile of you to prove the independence of the Malaysian judiciary by calling on former judges to testify to that effect.
The reputation of a country’s judiciary is built on the quality and integrity of the numerous judgments and proceedings in the courts, and not by what the chief justice and his colleagues claim the judiciary to be.
That the Malaysian judiciary is completely subservient to the executive is of universal knowledge. Its flagrant travesty of justice in cases where the interest of the ruling power is at stake is particularly abhorrent, as in former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim’s sodomy trials, which have earned the unanimous condemnation of jurists around the world as nothing but naked political persecution.
Raus, there are still many such political cases in the courts now where Malaysian judges would have the opportunity to prove their worth.
These cases include those related to Anwar’s sodomy trials, those against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak involving the 1MDB scandal, and those against the Election Commission relating to the redelineation of electoral boundaries.
Raus, to live up to your claim of judicial independence, let us see your judges shine through with their judgments that truly uphold our constitution and laws.
Gerard Lourdesamy: The chief justice (CJ) may be right but the judiciary must be transparent and be subjected to scrutiny by the public and the media.
There appears to be a tendency by certain judges to behave like civil servants - reluctant to make any ruling against the government, including Islamic religious bodies and the police, because of their own personal beliefs and prejudices.
The superior courts by their restrictive decisions increasingly weaken and undermine the fundamental freedoms in the Constitution in favour of ordinary laws passed by Parliament or state legislatures even when they offend due process and access to justice.
Judicial review is denied at the slightest excuse if the interests of the executive are involved. Then there are allegations that certain lawyers have direct access to senior judges and have considerable influence over them.
Our judiciary has a very long way to go before it can be considered to be truly independent and impartial guardian of the constitution and the rule of law.
Fairman: It is not for Raus to judge. Raus’ insistence that the judiciary is free from influence is akin to blowing his own trumpet. Even former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the courts are not independent.
So at the end of the day, public perception is paramount and judicial administrators must do everything possible to win the hearts and minds of the people.
Sadly, this is lacking from the whispers and small talk outside the corridors of the court. Even many are questioning whether the chief justice and Court of Appeal president are legally constituted to remain in office.
From the bottom of his heart, the chief justice should know why.
RM2.6 Billion Turkey Haram: If a man is ugly, no matter how much he insists that he is handsome, he is still ugly in the eyes of the people.
Similarly, the chief justice can insist that the judiciary is independent, but the perception of the public towards it will still be negative.
Shafie's brother arrested by MACC, home raided
Clever Voter: The arrest of individuals linked to Parti Warisan Sabah president Shafie Apdal, an ex-Umno vice-president, went ahead since he no longer has the protection of the party.
The problem with this corrupt patronage system is that once a member leaves Umno, all his or her privileges and benefits are gone. This is used to ensure absolute secrecy and loyalty. Once the good food is tasted, your soul is considered sold.
What does this tell us? If an ex-Umno leader is being investigated for alleged corruption, one wonders if the same treatment is extended to all other cabinet members.
After all, if such an allegation is true, shouldn't we expect such a practice being standard across the establishment.
HaveAGreatDay: Shafie is no longer an Umnoputra. The MACC is going for his scalp. Am I being cynical? Perhaps.
Still, if the rakyat's money has been misappropriated, it is good the MACC is efficient in trying to recover it.
I can't help wondering what about those who are still Umnoputras - does it mean the MACC will just turn a blind eye?
Middle Path: All those who committed corruption deserve to be caught and punished.
However, the MACC is merely functioning at the directives of someone higher up and using such agency to harass and persecute those not in his good book.
Shafie, you are getting stronger and a danger to the crook and his bandits, and the MACC is doing their best to get you.
Victor Johan: MACC, with the arrests and questionings of all these present and past Sabah Umno leaders, is actually announcing to the rakyat not to elect any Umno leaders in the coming GE as they are prone to corrupt practices when in power.
For a cleaner slate, the rakyat should only vote for the candidates from Pakatan Harapan coalition and its affiliated parties in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
Discovery: MACC, what about the huge elephant called MO1? Still waiting for the next durian season before you do anything?
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