Chief Justice credits Apandi for law career change

Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria today credits attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali for influencing him to read law instead of political science.

Justice Arifin, who launched Apandi's book Fiat Justitia, which is a collection of Apandi's judgments at the upper courts, said he had the privilege of knowing the present AG from their school days at Sultan Ismail College, Kota Bharu.

“He was one of those who were instrumental in changing my course of study from political science to law.

“I acknowledge this was indeed a sound and insightful advice. This took place upon my arrival in London. That much I owe to Apandi,” Justice Arifin said in his speech at the book launch today.

He said Apandi is a man who is truly faithful in discharging his judicial functions with honour and distinction, as a judicial commissioner, a High Court judge, a Court of Appeal judge and a judge at the Federal Court.

The top judge also credited Apandi's unwavering commitments to the rule of law and understanding the wide spectrum, including administrative and constitutional law.

Justice Arifin said this could be seen in Apandi's judgment in the highly-charged case of the Home Ministry and the Kuala Lumpur Catholic Archbishop.

The CJ said Apandi possessed an insightful, critical mind to those who have appeared before him.

“He has a strong sense of impartiality and seeks to dispense justice in the case,” he said.

“In the case of Mohd Hanafi Safii vs the Public Prosecutor (a drug case), Apandi wrote that speedy trial is part of the criminal jurisprudence in this country.

“This pronouncement on the timely delivery of justice is significant in the issue of whether the appellant had been deprived of his constitutional right,” Justive Arifin added. - Mkini