New CJ, a fresh hope for judiciary?

Fresh hopes to regain past glory

I refer to "CJ vows to do what’s right" (Star,December 12)

The pledge by newly-appointed Chief Justice(CJ), Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad to improve the public’s perception of the judiciary is very encouraging. He has already passed the first test by admitting that the public perceptions of the judiciary were disturbing and need to be changed.

Light moment: Abdul Hamid (right) sharing a light moment
with Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi (left)
and former chief justice Tun Dzaiddin Abdullah
after the appointment ceremony of the two top judges yesterday
(Star.Dec.12,2007)

The next step would be to put into practice what he honestly believes to be right to correct that perception. We are confident he will do just that, but it is equally important that he motivate his fellow judges to do likewise. He should impress them that the rights and welfare of the rakyat must be the only consideration when discharging their highly noble duties entrusted upon them.

Of late the reputation, intergrity and impartiality of the judiciary have been seriously tainted by alleged malpractices. Whether they are true or otherwise is not the issue here. What is important in that these events have given a negative public perception of the judiciary and that must be corrected at all costs? It should be the top priority of the new CJ and it is encouraging that rightly he has made it so.

We fully agree with Abdul Hamid that the judiciary is the last frontier of the nation and if people have no confidence in the courts, there will be chaos. The rakyat’s hope for ultimate justice depends on a judiciary that is seen as clean, fair and independent and not subservient to any parties. Unless it can convince its impartiality beyond doubts, it will never gain the confidence of the people.

Abdul Hamid may not have much time to succeed in his endeavor but at least he can initiate the changes for the judiciary to regain its past glory. The ordinary man on the street has nowhere to turn to justice except the judiciary and if the institution, that is established to grant him justice fails or even seen to have failed, it would be a great tragedy not only to the person who seeks fair play but also the institution itself.

Dr.Chris Anthony