Commission for the appointment of judges and ethical codes

DAP Nationqal Deputy Chairman and MP Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw repeats his call for setting up Royal Commission to review all the weaknesses of the judiciary in the country.

On 21 May, 2008, Dr Tan asked a supplementary question on the original question about the Chief Justice of Malaya, the Chief Justice of Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) and the Chief Justice of Malaysia and the plan to merge Borneo and Malaya judiciary. His Honourable (H H) Sepanggar (Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun) asked the question.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, H H Senator Datuk Mohd. Zaid Ibrahim, says that there is only one judicial system in Malaysia. The issue of merger of the judiciary does not occur. He will form a Commission to appoint judges under Article 123, Federal Constitution, with definite criteria, to ensure only qualified candidates are appointed as judges. The Chief Justice of Malaysia will retire at the end of this year.

Zaid feels that there is no need to have another Royal Commission to investigate the judiciary. Last year, the Royal Commission on the Lingam Tape reveals many matters. He emphasises ethical codes for judges.

We hope that the Commission for the appointment of judges and the ethical codes will solve the woes in the judiciary, including backlog of court cases and the public perception of the lack of transparency in the appointment of judges. Zaid has formed a committee to handle the backlog of court cases.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw