Ah, Zaki Azmi!
Thursday, December 6th, 2007 | 11:26 pm @ SK
Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang was fuming as the appointment of Umno closely related Zaki Azmi to be the next chief justice is imminent when the newly appointed Abdul Hamid Mohamad retires for good in the next 10 months.
Speaking at press conference in the parliament, he called Zaki as the first Umno CJ in the 50 years of Malaysia’s history and shows deep concern of his close relationship with Umno.
"Only few months ago, from without (Zaki) having to be High Court judge, Court of Appeal Judge, straightaway (he was appointed) as a Federal Court judge, is seen as paving the way for his promotion as the new CJ."
"Now, he’s a clear Umno appointee on the judicial hierarchy. Is he going to be the first Umno CJ in the 50 years history of Malaysia? An Umno CJ and not a Malaysian CJ,"
Now, let’s take a look at Zaki’s biodata as compiled by Malaysiakini.
(SOURCE: Malaysiakini, 5 December 2007)
For someone with such high profile Umno links and extensive corporate links, when many of us are wondering to what extent is the supremacy, integrity and independence of judiciary in Malaysia, yet the "pondan" minister said Zaki is a man of integrity and appointed based on this past performance and character?
Let us take a few seconds to ponder the importance of "judicial impartiality" as the principal quality in which a judiciary must possess, as told by a respected constitutional law expert and former Lord President Sultan Azlan Shah during the 14th Malaysian Law Conference.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
this administration will just continue as the last to compromise and ultimately destroy the august institutions. for whatevr damn reasons, even the Bar Council has to decided to abort the Human Rights walk.. what are we to do?
December 7th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
The Bar Council must act fast. The Agong and State Royalties cannot do anything as can be seen from the Lawyers, Bersih and Hindraf marches.
The Bar Council must take the initiative to take action to ensure that our Judiciary is not jeopordised and remain clean and fair.
As a non lawyer I cannot suggest anything or ways to handle this important matter but I will support fully on any action taken so that our judiciary remains independent and clean.
December 9th, 2007 at 12:11 am