I refer to Malaysiakini report, If I don't accept, I be sacked .

It's all out in the open now. With the open admission of the former lord president Hamid Omar that he was afraid that he might be sacked if he did not particpate in the removal of his predecessor, Salleh Abas, all the jigsaw puzzle in the shameful incident more than 20 years ago which destroy our judicial integrity is beginning to fit into place.

Was Hamid afraid of Dr Mahathir Mohamad and thus participated in Kangaroo tribunal which remove Salleh from his lord president post and subsequently replace him? Or is age catching up with him and his conscience in killing him so he has to atone for his sins for his pivotal role in the judicial crisis which have cause three good judges removed from office on frivolous charges.

Hamid had his share of controversy while he was sitting as the top judge then. The incident in which the late MBF chief - who was facing several suits against his group of companies - had a meeting with Hamid at his office showed he was not a worthy successor to Salleh.

He also did not see eye to eye with the Bar especially after the lawyers passed a resolution not recognising him as lord president. The decline of the integrity of the judiciary can be traced back to his tenure. Indeed, all those who succeeded him to the top bench were beholden to the executive.

The Lingam tape controversy has further tarnished our judiciary. It makes a mockery of the law if our judges are partial in their judgments and that the only way to climb the judicial ladder is by being friendly to the chief justice and not based on merit.