KUCHING, Feb 20: Sarawak Patriot Association (SPA) has urged Putrajaya to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the recent allegations of judicial misconduct.
SPA’s secretary Hii Chin Loung said the formation of the RCI was essential to fully investigate the said allegations, and if it was indeed true, proper measures must be taken to ensure that the public’s trust and confidence in the judiciary is not affected.
“Justice should be dispensed without fear or favour; otherwise, there will be no justice amongst us. These are serious allegations as this implies judicial misconduct by certain quarters and will undermine the public confidence and public trust in the judiciary,” Hii said in a statement today.
He stressed that the judiciary should be independent and should not be subjected to improper influence.
“This is pertinent to the concept of separation of powers. Ideally, judges should decide cases and make rulings according to the Rule of Law and judicial discretion, even if those decisions are unpopular or opposed by powerful interests.
“Judges must be free to interpret the laws independently, impartially and objectively without being subjected to any undue pressure from the government or any other interested body or person in order for justice to be dispensed accordingly. This functions to protect people’s rights, liberties and also the Rule of Law,” he stressed.
Hii pointed out that the shocking allegations could not be ignored as the Federal Government had already indicated that reforms were needed if Malaysia hoped to recover and rebuild.
“The Sarawak Patriot Association commends the judiciary for lodging the police report on the said allegations as such allegations will affect the image of judicial independence,” he said.
Recently, Court of Appeal judge Datuk Dr Hamid Sultan Abu Backer made shocking revelations in respect of certain top judges in a 65-page affidavit that was filed in support of an application to declare that the Chief Justice had failed to defend the integrity of the judiciary in two cases. — DayakDaily
