Kudos to a brave judge

Hope others follow the example

The original dismay caused by the possible extension of the service of the Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim was alleviated, at least temporarily, by the encouraging the landmark decision by the Kuala Lumpur High Court to grant former ISA detainee, Abdul Malek Hussin,RM2.5million in damages over his unwarranted arrest and torture in 1998.

In making such a bold decision High Court judge Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus had demonstrated that there still judges up there who could rise up to the occasion to safeguard the integrity and independence of our judiciary. All Malaysians salute him for his brave act that shows his deep sense of patriotism to the nation. We hope his example will prod others like him to rise up to restore the reputation that we were once the envy of others.

His harsh criticism of the police officers at the highest level, in causing the inhumane torture of Abdul Malek, is gratifying and is shared by all Malaysians. In endorsing these forms of torture, the government has no doubt lost its moral credibility to condemn the atrocities committed by others like the military junta in neighboring Myanmar.

Justice Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus has beyond doubt demonstrated that he is the right person to replace Ahmad Fairuz as the next CJ.If the government and the Conference of Rulers are serious in wanting to restore the judicial integrity and independence, they should seriously consider Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus and other judges like him to be elevated to higher posts so that together, by their fearless actions, restore the status of the judiciary to its past glory.Syabas justice Mohd Hishamudin and may God bless him and his family.

Dr.Chris Anthony