Chief Registrar wants cops to probe judge's damning claims

The Chief Registrar of the Federal Court has urged the police to investigate allegations of judicial impropriety made by Court of Appeal judge Justice Hamid Sultan Abu Backer in an affidavit.

In a statement today, the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court said the Malaysian judiciary cannot address the allegations itself because of a pending court case.

"Save to say that the allegations in the affidavit against the judiciary as an institution are sweeping and consequently may have the effect of tarnishing the image of the judiciary as a whole.

"This may also well result in public confidence in the institution being undermined. That, in turn, has an adverse effect on the proper functioning of the administration of justice. The judiciary has therefore lodged a police report in respect of these allegations," it said in a statement.

As to whether there should be a royal commission of inquiry for Justice Hamid Sultan's allegations, the Office of the Chief Registrar said that was the federal government's prerogative.

'Reforms underway'

It said the Malaysian judiciary was mindful of the importance of preserving public confidence and will continue to safeguard judicial integrity.

"In this regard, the Malaysian judiciary is presently implementing substantive improvements and reforms in the administration of justice and will continue to do so.

"It is to be noted that the Institutional Reform Committee has met with the judiciary and made recommendations that are currently being implemented as well," it said.

Justice Hamid Sultan had made the allegations in an affidavit to support lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo's suit which sought a declaration that the chief justice failed to defend the integrity and credibility of the judiciary over two alleged incidents of judicial interference.

Among other allegations, he said some judges had abetted private entities in defrauding the federal government.

In his affidavit, the judge repeatedly called for the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry to investigate judicial wrongdoings and said he would reveal more if such an avenue was available. -Mkini