Royal tells JUDICIARY to buck up

Date: October 29 2007
Event: 14th Malaysian Law Conference
Venue: Sumwhere in Key Ell ( lol - dun know )

Hear Hear

His Royal Majesty acknowledges dat dere has been some degree of 'disquiet' over da state of the judiciary in da recent years n HRH urges da judges to discharge their duties 'impartially, confidently, and competently.'

SULTAN AZLAN SPEAKS OUT:

ON THE JUDICIARY

1) "Sadly, I must acknowledge there has been some disquiet about our judiciary over the past few years and in the more recent past."

2) "There is no reason why judges with the assured security of tenure they enjoy under the Constitution should not discharge their duties impartially, confidently, and competently.'

3) "In these days, judges must be ever mindful that the loss of independence can come from many sources, and not just from the executive. Therefore, judges must piously resist the lure of socialising with business personages and other well-connected people. They may discover at their peril that they have compromised themselves in the cases that come before them with the unedifying spectable of recusal applications."

4) "Nothing destroys more the confidence of the general public, or the business community, has in the judiciary than the belief that the judge was biased when he decided a case, or what the judge would not be independent where powerful individuals or corporations are litigants before him. Judges in Malaysia must be ever mindful that they are appointed judges for all Malaysians. They must be sensitive to the feelings of all parties, irrespective of race, religion, or creed, and be careful not to bring a predisposed mind to an issue before them that is capable of being misconstrued by the watching public or segments of them."

ON LAWYERS

1) "The Bar and its leadership must ensure there is a high standard of integrity and ethics among its members. A Bar that is riddled with bad practices cannot assist the administration of justice."

2) "Judges are supposed to be no respecters of persons who appear before them. This rule applies not only to litigants but also to lawyers. It's not just a matter of prudence and good practice, but fundamentally one of ethics."

3) "There have been allegations againts some lawyers that in clear dereliction of their responsibilities, that have either misled the courts, or attempted to choose the judges or courts for their cases to be heard so as to obtain a favourable decision in their client's favour. This is a serius interference with the administration of justice and the process of the court."



FINALLY THE CONCERNS HAVE SPOKEN

xxx