Judiciary and the rakyat

Judiciary must take care of the rakyat

I read with interest your dramatic front page report “Justice for sale: Are some judges corrupt?” (NST June 2).

Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim had admitted to having received several poison-letters claiming corruption among some judges.

Apart from poison -pen letters, there are coffee-shop gossips and whispers that affirm the presence of corrupt judges in our country. This is a general perception among Malaysians that corruption is rampant at all levels of the administration including some among the judges. The government and judiciary must take drastic measures to change this perception among the people.

While agreeing that in general, poison-pen letters should not be entertained, it must be remembered that some of them may be genuine and written in frustration in being the poor victims of injustice of a corrupt judicial system. They could however provide useful clues into the investigation of such corruption.

Of course it is right that the Chief Justice take appropriate action against corrupt judges as and when proven. The biggest hurdle to rid the system of the errant judges is to prove their guilt.

We are often told that justice must not only be done but it must also be seen to be done. The judiciary must be seen to be clean in the eyes of the rakyat. In this context, it is of utmost importance for the judges to act and behave in a manner appropriate to the responsibility entrusted upon them, which is to safeguard the rule of law at all costs. The rights and welfare of the rakyat must be the only consideration when they deliberate and deliver their judgments.

The ordinary man on the street has nowhere to turn to justice except the judiciary and if that institution, that is established to grant him justice fails, it would be a great tragedy not only to the person who seeks fair play but also the institution itself. This is clearly stated by the Chief Justice himself, "If the judiciary is corrupt, the prosecutors will be frustrated, the defense will be frustrated and everyone will be frustrated. There will be no one to turn to. Only the judiciary can take care of the people”.

Increasing the number of judges to preside over trials to reduce corruption would have limited effect as those who resort to bribery are the rich and powerful and not the poor man on the street. It is more important to choose the right person for the job, one with high integrity and passion to do justice to mankind.

Dr.Chris Anthony