Resignation of top judges a precursor to judicial reform

LETTER | The Malaysian Bar is glad to note the resignation of Md Raus Sharif as the chief justice of the Federal Court, and of Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin as the president of the Court of Appeal, as announced in the press release issued by the Office of the chief registrar of the Federal Court dated June 13.

Since Raus and Zulkefli have resigned well before the completion of their terms of office, and since no reason has (to our knowledge) been provided, it can be presumed that they now concede that their appointments as CJ and COA president are in breach of the Federal Constitution.

As Raus and Zulkefli were first appointed as additional judges of the Federal Court, and thereafter to continue as CJ and COA president, respectively, this begs the question whether they have also resigned as additional judges.

The Malaysian Bar has at all times taken the position that the appointments – as additional judges, and to continue to hold the positions of CJ and COA president – were blatantly unconstitutional.

It is for this reason that we had at the outset called upon both Raus and Zulkefli to decline the appointments as additional judges, and to continue to hold the positions of CJ and COA president, and consequently filed a legal action seeking declarations that the said appointments are unconstitutional and void.

The Malaysian Bar thus reiterates our call upon Raus and Zulkefli to vacate their positions as additional judges, as well as their positions as CJ and COA president respectively, with immediate effect, instead of continuing to remain in office until July 31.

The appointment of positions of high judicial office must always be beyond reproach. The failure of Raus and Zulkefli to heed the widespread disquiet surrounding their appointments undermined the status and stature of their offices.

This caused the erosion of public trust and confidence in the independence of the judiciary, and their insistence on accepting their appointments as additional judges, and as CJ and COA president, has done the nation a great disservice.

The judicial branch of government must always be truly independent, in order to uphold the Federal Constitution and promote fidelity to the rule of law. The Malaysian Bar views these resignations as a precursor to judicial reform and the strengthening of the independence of the judiciary.

GEORGE VARUGHESE is president of the Malaysian Bar.

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