'No sinister motive in moving Sabah and Sarawak judges'

Judicial officers from Sabah and Sarawak, including judges, are transferred to the peninsula to give them “exposure”, and not for other motives as suggested by Penampang MP Darell Leiking. 

This would include experience in a different environment and handling different types of cases brought before courts, the office of the Chief Judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak said.

“Such exposure and experience are important for their career advancement. With that purpose in mind, this office made the proposal to the chief registrar's office to consider such move,” it said in a statement late last night. 

It also expressed regret that the transfers of five Sabah High Court and two Sarawakian judges to peninsular Malaysia was “perceived negatively” without seeking any clarification.

On Wednesday, Leiking (left), who is also PKR deputy secretary-general, said he would move a motion in Parliament to seek the removal of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court in Sabah, Azimah Omar.

He stressed that Azimah, who is not from Sabah or Sarawak, should be replaced with a Sabahan to fulfill the goal of Borneonisation, which he said was implied with the separation of the Sabah and Sarawak courts.

He said that the motion will also seek the acknowlegement of the judicial autonomy of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.

He earlier argued that Borneonisation is a “substantive condition” spelled out in the Inter-Governmental Report, along with the 20 points the federal government must adhere to upon agreement of Sabah and Sarawak to join with Malaya to form Malaysia.