Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria has called on judges to get tough and impose a deterrent punishment on offenders convicted of street crimes, including snatch thefts, and corruption.

Justice Arifin said the punishment to be imposed on offenders should reflect as a harsh warning to curb the upsurge in those crimes.

NONE "I call on all judges at all levels to impose a sentence that will commensurate with actions that are destructive to the peace of our country," he said in his speech at the swearing-in ceremony of six newly-appointed judicial commissioners.

Justice Arifin ( above )said the courts should be more sensitive in considering the appropriate punishment for such offenders.

"The sentence to be imposed should be able to change offenders to become better human beings and at the same time, to prevent others from committing similar offences," he said.

In criminal cases, the chief justice said, justice was not only for the accused person but it was also important that the victim also received justice.

At the ceremony, six persons, including two lawyers took their oath of office and allegiance as judicial commissioners.

They are Parole Board chairperson Wong Teck Meng, 54, three sessions court judges SM Komathy Suppiah, 54, Rozana Ali Yusoff, 53, and Abu Bakar Katar, 53. The two lawyers appointed are S Nantha Balan, 53, and Abu Bakar Jais, 51.

Option for judges to retire at 60

They received their appointment letters from the Justice Arifin and took their oath of office before Chief Judge of Malaya Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin.

Their appointments are effective today.

In his speech, Justice Arifin also said the Judges Remuneration Act 1971 would be amended in the near future to include an option for High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court judges to retire below the age of 60 years.

He said judges who were unwell or showed less interest in the job could take up this option and find a job of their preference or enjoy a longer retirement life.

Currently the mandatory retirement age for judges is 66.

Justice Arifin said the "exit policy" was discussed and unanimously approved in the recent Judges Conference held in Kuantan, Pahang.

He also said only judicial commissioners who showed excellent performance and capability would be confirmed as full-fledged High Court judges.

- Bernama