DAP’s deputy chairperson Dr Tan Seng Giaw wants the newly appointed de facto law minister Zaid Ibrahim to establish a royal commission to look into all aspects of the judiciary.

tan seng giaw 120507 Tan, who is also the Kepong member of Parliament, said that the present royal commission on the Lingam tape was limited in its scope although the inquiry granted a glimpse of the weaknesses in the judiciary.

“We believe that he (Zaid) would need to know the extent of the weaknesses. He would have to consider seriously the formation of a royal commission of inquiry on the judiciary,” he said in his blog .

Tan hoped that Zaid, who heads the largest legal firm in the country, can reorganise the judiciary, making it reputable within and outside the country.

“Things such as a lawyer writing a judgment for a judge as in the Lingam case should never be repeated,” added Tan.

zaid ibrahim interview 140308 04 Zaid was a surprise inclusion in the cabinet announced by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday as he was earlier dropped from contesting in the recently held general election.

The former Kota Baru member of Parliament was appointed as a Minister in the Prime Minister Department, specifically in charge of legal affairs. He was made a senator on Wednesday to ensure his passage into the cabinet.

After his appointment, Zaid had pledged to defend the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, separation of powers and the supremacy of law.

“The prime minister spoke to me and he told me there is a need for justice, a reform of judiciary and to make sure that the rule of law stays. I understood that and I promise him that I will do that,” he was quoted as saying after being sworn in as a senator.

Although he did not specifically talk about forming a royal commission, Zaid said he would conduct a detailed discussion with the Chief Justice and have a thorough study on the system.

The Lingam scandal

Malaysian judiciary has for long been accused of losing its independence and favouring the government, especially after the sacking for former Lord President Salleh Abas in 1988.

Late last year a video clip showing lawyer VK Lingam brokering the appointment of ‘friendly’ judges with a top judge came public, putting the judiciary under added pressure.

The government formed a royal commission to look into the authenticity of tape and to propose recommendations to overcome such activities.

In the inquiry that followed, a long list of prominent personalities, including former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and all three immediate past chief justices, were called in to testify.

Many revelations were made, including on how top judges were showered with gifts by lawyer Lingam, joint holiday trips by former CJ Eusoff Chin and Lingam and on how Lingam had actually written a judgement for a judge.

The commission is expected to hand in its findings to the government on April 11.

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