Kit Siang’s questions for chief justice Raus Sharif

The veteran parliamentarian wants Raus to justify his acceptance of tenure extension and asks if he has been faithful to his oath of office.

KUALA LUMPUR: MP for Gelang Patah Lim Kit Siang has asked Raus Sharif, whose tenure as chief justice was extended on Aug 4, to prove that his appointment is indeed constitutional.

The DAP parliamentary leader said in a statement today that he had yesterday asked Raus whether it would be constitutional and proper for Raus to continue to be appointed as “additional judge” in August 2020 to extend his tenure as chief justice for another three years?”

“Raus has yet to answer. I await his answer. But I want to ask him a further question:

“Unless Raus can defend as ‘unprecedented but constitutional’ his re-appointment as chief justice in August 2020 for another three years using the unconstitutional backdoor of ‘additional judge’, how can he justify his present re-appointment?”

Raus was appointed chief justice on April 1 and retired on Aug 3. However, he was appointed an “additional judge” and his tenure as chief justice extended for three years the following day.

The appointment of Raus has been mired in controversy following protests from the legal fraternity, who said no Federal Court judge can remain in his administrative post after reaching 66 years and six months of age.
The Malaysian Bar has announced it will challenge the decision to extend his tenure as an additional judge of the Federal Court.

In his statement today, Lim also wanted Raus to answer another question: “Whether he is true to his solemn oath of office and allegiance to ‘bear true faith and allegiance to Malaysia, and will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution?’”

The veteran politician said the ball was now in Raus’ court. - FMT