It is really very sad to hear that the fact of a long overdue promotion of a very prominent and highly experienced Court of Appeal judge (Gopal Sri Ram) had to get parliamentary attention before it can be considered. Why must this experienced person be overlooked? Why must he be leapfrogged by other members of the senior bench when he is very qualified to sit in the highest court in the country?

It is good that parliamentarians are looking into the plight of very deserving Malaysians who have been side stepped by the administration when promotions are due and deserving. I wish to see the day that Malaysia practises true separation of powers, where there is a free Parliament that checks and balances the powers of the executive.

It is noteworthy that the judiciary is being given its fair share of attention, we need to see a free judiciary that will not be admonished if it were to criticise or disagree with the executive. The executive is made of people who were elected to that position by the citizens, they are just as vulnerable to the temptations of current situations like others, so wouldn't it be better if we have a judiciary which can act as a check and balance to this system?

We have great legal minds amongst us but are we recognising these people and giving them their dues? It will be a pity to see highly capable Malaysians being offered by others to positions that suits their experience. We will be the losers at the end of the day. Our experienced judges are not only an asset to us but the entire Commonwealth. We must bring the judiciary to its past glory as one of the most respected in the Commonwealth.

The parliamentarians are showing the way by seeking more clout and independence from the executive, the judiciary must not be left behind. Who can we trust if not for the judges?