The verdict in opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s court case shows that the country’s judiciary is independent and able to deliver judgment without fear or favour, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said.

“The judgment has been made, and with this, it is proven that the country’s judiciary is reputable, and its judgments are on par with those made in the developed countries, which are based on the rule of law,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

The High Court today acquitted and discharged Anwar of sodomising a former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

In a statement issued earlier, Rais noted the verdict proved that the government did not hold sway over judges’ decisions.

The current wave of bold democratic reforms introduced by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak would help extend this transparency to all areas of Malaysian life, he said.

Rais also told reporters that the verdict exemplified the need for people to remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law.

“No one is above the law of the country. I’m confident that with the verdict, followers and supporters of Anwar will now try to rationalise the meaning of the rule of law which is an integral part of the Rukun Negara (national principles),” he said.

He hoped that there would be no more speculations or calls that would undermine unity among the people or the institutions or the country’s administration.

“The verdict and the court’s opinion should be respected.

“I am proud of the country's judiciary which has discharged its duties without fear or favour,” he said.

Elaborating on the outcome of the trial, Rais said the voice of justice had been spoken and it illustrated the fact that the Malaysian judiciary was “at its top” in deciding what was just and fair.

“Beyond this, we ought to realise the necessity for us to respect the rule of law and, at the same time, give leeway for the 1Malaysia vision to develop and nurture itself to build the Malaysian nation which we need,” he said.

‘Let’s go forward’

Noting that other polemics as well as all sorts of views and conclusions may enter the picture, the minister said these should no longer be entertained.

“Let’s go forward and leave all this behind as we build the 1Malaysia that we need,” he said.

Rais said those who had been subjected to “turmoil and feelings of uneasiness” should let go of such feelings, and let the 1Malaysia spirit prevail.

Meanwhile, several leaders have praised the independence of the judiciary in the wake of the High Court’s decision.

 

Land and Regional Development Minister and an Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal said the court verdict proved that the judiciary is independent and there is no interference from the authorities. 

“Our courts are independent. We cannot question their decisions,” he said after attending the monthly gathering of the ministry.

Mohd Shafie said all quarters should ensure that peace and order prevailed in the country and should not resort to demonstrations or gatherings which can inconvenience the people and tarnish the country’s image.

'Nothing for Umno and BN to regret'

In PASIR GUDANG, Johor, Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan said the court decision dismissed allegations by the opposition that there is interference in the judiciary. 

He also said that there is nothing for Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN) to regret over the court decision.

“The case was between Anwar and Mohd Saiful, not between Anwar and Umno or the BN,” he told reporters after launching the Eyes and Ears at Sea (EYES) maritime community programme between the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Johor Bunkering Services Association (J-Bunker) in Tanjung Langsat.

In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman said the verdict proves that the Malaysian judiciary is independent.

“The court has made its decision. The verdict proves that the Malaysian judiciary is independent and the Barisan Nasional government is transparent,” he said.

In KUANTAN, Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said he hoped that the opposition political parties would no longer accuse the courts of being unfair and not transparent. 

Mohd Puad, who is an Umno supreme council member, said he hoped that no one would question the integrity of the judiciary any more.

In PUTRAJAYA, Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the verdict dismissed assumptions that the courts showed favouritism and were unfair when handling cases involving the opposition.  

The decision of the court, regardless of whether it is in favour of or against Anwar, does not have any bearing on the Barisan Nasional’s chances of victory in the general election as the case was between Anwar and Mohd Saiful, he told reporters.  

He said the people should see the court's verdict as reflecting the strength of the government in terms of fairness and justice. 

In KOTA BARU, Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the decision reflected the fairness of the court.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim Ali, president of the Malay right-wing group Perkasa, said everyone should respect the court's decision and the rule of law.

He asked what those people had to say who had accused the judiciary of favouritism and alleged conspiracy in the case. 

- Bernama