Gov't will not apologise to Salleh

The government will not apologise to the former Lord President Salleh Abas over his sacking in 1988.

This was revealed by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today at a function in Putrajaya.

However the premier said that the government would formulate a way to reinstate the status of Salleh as a former top judiciary officer in the country.

"I don’t want to discuss this matter in detail here, then there will be other complications. But we (government) will discuss this matter,” he said.

Last month, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Zaid Ibrahim said the government should apologise to Salleh and two other supreme court judges over their sacking and suspension.

Many observers have pointed out that the sacking of Salleh was the starting point of the judicial crisis in this country, which still remains unresolved.

Yesterday the judiciary fully backed the call for the apology, however adding that the final call was with the government.

This is the first time Abdullah is commenting on this apology matter. Previously Zaid was reported as saying that his cabinet colleagues were still considering his proposal for the apology.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters after at his office today, Zaid said that Abdullah will make an announcement soon on the measures that the government will institute for judicial reforms.

"The Prime Minister himself as well as his deputy and other cabinet members have said many times that they are committed to judicial reforms.

"I think there is no need for us to doubt the government's commitment in this matter. The premier will announce himself the reforms and the principles behind this move. I think the announcement is going to be made sooner than one thinks," he said.