The nation may face another constitutional and judicial crisis over the apparent uncertainty regarding the appointment of the new Chief Justice, DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang said today.

Lim said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad should clarify the matter without any delay.

"In publicly stating yesterday that he was in the dark on the appointment of the new Chief Justice, the country seems to teetering on the brink of a major crisis," he said [#1](Mahathir evasive on status of new Chief Justice,[/#] Kabilan Dec5).

Questioned by reporters yesterday after a function in Shah Alam, Mahathir said he had yet to receive any news on the status of the new Chief Justice Dzaiddin Abdullah.

Three weeks ago, in a departure from the norm, the Conference of Rulers announced Federal Court judge Dzaiddin as the new Chief Justice to replace Eusoff Chin whose term expires on Dec 19.

Conventionally, the Chief Justice is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong upon advice by the prime minister.

Lim said the de facto Law Minister Dr Rais Yatim had welcomed Dzaiddin's appointment and indicated his confidence in the new man.

Rais has been reported to have said that Dzaidddin will be a "sterling icon for the judiciary based on his broad and lengthy legal experience".