The Bar Council today gave its stamp of approval to the appointment of prominent lawyer Zaki Azmi as a Federal Court judge despite his close ties with ruling party Umno.

"He is of the right temperament and experience," said Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan.

"As far as the bar is concerned, we think it is a great honour that one of our members have been elevated," she added when contacted.

Yesterday, Zaki, 62, became the first lawyer to be appointed to the Federal Court. Before this, only lawyer Gopal Sri Ram had bypassed serving in the High Court when he was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 1994.

Both Zaki and Gopal are members of Lincoln's Inn.

Ambiga touted the appointment as a chance to improve the image of the judiciary.

"We believe this is one of the ways they are attempting to strengthen the judiciary. We should view it positively because of that. The judiciary has been getting a lot of bad press," she said.

In addition to serving as Umno's legal adviser, Zaki was the party's disciplinary committee chairperson, Umno selection committee secretary and deputy chairperson of the Umno disciplinary board appeal panel.

He had stepped down from these posts in 2005 following his controversial divorce from his second wife.

"The only problem is the perception that he is associated with Umno or is with the government. The onus is one him to prove otherwise. He has to dispel this notion," said Ambiga.

While supporting the appointment, she said that the Bar Council should have been consulted.

"We feel that, ultimately, we have to set up a judicial commission so there is transparency. Then the public won't be questioning such appointments," she said.

Public perception

Meanwhile, prominent lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad expressed support for such a commission. He however, has some reservations over the appointment of Zaki to the Federal Court.

"First and foremost, I have no qualms with lawyers being appointed to the Federal Court, provided they are of exceptional quality," he said when contacted today.

He said the choice of candidate to be appointed to the Federal Court should be "someone above controversy and links to any political party."

"What matters is public perception. The fact that he has been closely linked with Umno for years being the legal adviser, being a member of the disciplinary board, poses a problem of public confidence," said Amer.

"Ideally a judge should not have any of this baggage. Any of these can be used by irresponsible quarters to smear the good name of the judiciary.

"It is up to him to dispel any allegations and impression that he may not be able to discharge his duties impartially in view of his connection with Umno," he added.

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