YOURSAY 'Utusan is the only newspaper that has continually been proven to have lied, and even made to pay damages, yet no action is taken.'

Court: Utusan defamed Anwar over LGBT remarks

Mushiro: Utusan Malaysia was set up to serve its master Umno. They are not worried about profits or the decline in readership. Their main objective is to hit first even without facts and follow up with propaganda.

They just want to maximise damage to Umno's opponents. Losing court cases on such matters is expected, and they are willingly pay the costs.

The courts should decide on tougher punishments and should withdraw the licence of Utusan, which is the only fear they have.

Moontime: Despite a host of libel suits and defamation against Utusan, this Umno mouthpiece has never learnt its lesson. I wonder what it takes for Utusan to realise the simple truth: the newspaper is now considered to be totally unfit as reading material.

How long can Utusan stand after having to pay thousands of ringgit to its victims is anybody's guess. Perhaps what is needed is a court order for it to completely cease operations.

Artchan: Utusan will continue printing shitty news. The costs ordered by the judge is small change to them as long as they can vilify Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim or anyone opposed to BN.

Apapunboleh: It's usual for Utusan and TV3 to practice one-way slander. When they lose their cases in court, nothing is mentioned in the papers or on TV. Their motive is to tarnish its victims in the eyes of the ignorant rural folks for votes.

Zar: It already known that Utusan is the worst newspaper in Malaysia- this paper should change its name to ‘Utusan Menfitnah'.

Dood: Utusan is the only newspaper in Malaysia that has continually been proven to have lied, and even made to pay damages in court for libel, yet no action is taken against it by the Home Ministry.

Anyone else, of course, would have had their media licence suspended.

Fairplay: When the opposition comes into power, Utusan and Berita Harian licences should be revoked immediately.

All Malay dailies, together with New Straits Times and The Star, will have to be completely revamped with new non-partisan editors and management before they are allowed to ever print again.

Capo: High Court judge VT Singham, your ruling has made my day. Judges out there, give the public the justification to respect and hold you in high esteem.

Seek not notoriety but recognition,more so in this evolving Malaysia whence the public's expectations are getting higher.

Ourvotesdecide: There should never be any politics involved when deciding a case. Like a few judges who had in the past refused to recuse themselves even though the case they were going to preside upon involved their former clients or companies owned by their former clients or their former partners or family members of their former partners. Shame on them.

AngryBird: As long as Umno remains in power, Utusan will continue with their slanderous reporting. The only way to stop it from doing so is to vote out Umno-BN in GE13. I hope Malaysians will do that.

The Mask: The truth of the matter is Utusan chief editor Abdul Aziz Ishak's poor understanding of the English language.

Hence the incorrect interpretation of what Anwar had said. Is anyone keeping track of how many law suits Utusan has lost? And there are still idiots who want to read these newspapers.

Headhunter: Utusan bites the dust again. Serves them right for lying and spinning.

I won't compromise on judicial oath, says judge

Lover Boy: Justice VT Singham is not a pansy; he is a tough judge and very strict in his case management. Well, if one chooses to say that he is biased or not at all impartial, it all depends on which side of the stick you will be receiving from this judge.

Seriously does Perkasa understand the meaning of impartiality? This ultra racist group knows nothing about justice and fairness. To Singham, I want you to know that we Malaysians are proud that you are prepared to exercise your sacred duty without fear or favour.

LittleGiant: "Public confidence in the judiciary is the most valuable asset the judiciary has. It is also one of the most valuable assets the nation has. The need to ensure confidence does not mean the need to ensure popularity," said Justice VT Singham.

This statement alone is enough to exemplify how the country's judiciary should be and what true justice is all about. Politicians, especially those from the ruling BN coalition, walking the corridors of power should read this statement many many times.

Justice, delivered with integrity and courage, saves not just the present but also goes well beyond to save the future of the nation.

Cantabrigian: The fact that Singham mentioned in his judgment the obvious duties of a judge to be impartial and fair raises considerable question on what is actually happening behind closed doors between the Bench and other related parties.

It is his subtle way of telling the public that some hanky-panky has been going on all this while in trying to influence his decision.

Cala: Of course, it is heartening to hear that at least a High Court judge is prepared to uphold justice according to the law. But his remarks must be considered in the total context of Malaysia's socio-economic and political reality.

Is our judiciary independent? In their studies of Third World states, Feld and Voigt (2004) concluded that authoritarian regimes tend to make an independent judiciary difficult.

Ksn: Singham, it is very refreshing to hear your views about judges and the judiciary. But I am sure you are more than aware, that you are one of the very few in the judiciary, from the time of the sacking of chief justice Salleh Abas, who have such an approach to justice.

I will add two more ideas to the qualities for a judge - integrity and competence in law.

Anonymous #19098644: In 1988, the judiciary was attacked by the regime of former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad. This resulted in the chief justice being wrongly removed from his position.

Subsequently Mahathir invoked the Internal Security Act and wrongfully detained many upright and innocent people like opposition figures Mohamad Sabu, Karpal Singh, Lim Guan Eng and clamped down on the press.

History appears to be repeating itself. Only the rakyat can stop the usurpation of power. The emasculation of the judiciary was the start of the clampdown. Never again must this dark page of our Malaysian history be allowed to repeat itself.

Veja: The meaning to the word 'honour' is finally returning, Your Honour. Well done for standing up to the bullying tactics and the sorry legacy since 1988.

Anon1: Look at us applauding a judge who is true to the qualities of his office. We are actually applauding and praising what is actually to be expected from all judges, who should be impartial and fair.

Sigh. That's the state in which our country is in today.

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