Malaysia's biggest non-Muslim religious umbrella group has supported a call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to probe allegations that an appellate judge was reprimanded for a dissenting judgement on the Indira Gandhi case.
In a statement today, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) said the RCI was needed as judges must be able to act without fear or favour.
"The RCI to be formed, amongst others, must enquire into this serious allegation against a top judge of gross misconduct and to recommend needed reforms to improve and strengthen judicial independence and integrity.
"We therefore appeal to the government to immediately set up an RCI to enquire into the serious allegation made.
"Failure to do so may unfairly cast aspersions on other judges who had performed their duties diligently and with integrity and an RCI may also allay public fear that there may be other such cases of judicial misconduct," the council said.
Last week, Court of Appeal judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer claimed that as soon the Indira Gandhi judgement was released two years ago, a top judge had called up the entire panel of judges in the case and severely reprimanded him, accusing him of judicial activism.
As a result of the judgement, Hamid claimed, he was not assigned to hear cases involving public interest and those related to the constitution.
Following these allegations, former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram, and former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus suggested a tribunal or RCI be formed to look into Hamid's allegation, which both described as a very serious one.
The call has been supported by the Bar Council. - Mkini
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