Negeri Sembilan ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir has called on the Federal government to decentralise fiscal and give autonomy to the states in the true spirit of federalism.
Speaking at the book launch of former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus, Tuanku Muhriz said the rakyat had shown the world that they wanted a better democracy.
"I hope the new Federal government will work with the state governments to seriously consider the issues of fiscal decentralisation, and policy autonomy to the states, drawing on the best practices from other democratic federations in the world.
"Exploring this subject is drawing on the true spirit of the (Federal) Constitution rather than diverting from it," he said in his speech.
Tuanku Muhriz is the only current monarch who has a legal background.
The Negeri Sembilan ruler quoted RJ Wilkinson in his work "Papers on Malay subject" who observed "if any European student imagines that a constitutional government is alien to the Asiatic mind, he may study the Minangkabau system with profit, as it is a genuine Malay creation and owes nothing to alien influence.
He said that federalism had been Negeri Sembilan's foundation since 1773, and said that Malaysia has come to be known as one of the most centralised of federations.
On the topic of judicial independence, Tuanku Muhriz said independence is the soul of the judiciary, the pillar in which we entrust to protect the fundamental principles that embody our constitution.
"The concept of judicial independence does not only preserve the sanctity of the judiciary but also maintains the high esteem that we, as the society, have for the judiciary," he said.
"...it is upon the judges' wisdom that we place our trust to interpret and apply the law honestly. A judge must always be conscious of the qualities of a good judge, namely upholding independence and integrity, maintaining impartiality, avoiding impropriety of any kind and equally important, having a good grasp of the law, " he said.
The ruler further said judges should have good ethics and that the people should leave the judges to discharge their noble duty without fear or favour.
On the former judge Hishamudin who hails from Gemas, Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz described him as someone who dared to be different, yet while upholding the constitution.
"His judgments epitomise a man who respects and upholds judicial ethics. Despite serving on the bench during the turbulent years in our judiciary, he has served with utmost integrity, loyal to his judicial oath.
"I am proud that my beloved state has the distinction of producing this legal luminary, whose judgments are well respected and received," the ruler said.
Hishamudin retired in 2015, and is now a consultant at the law firm Lee Hishammuddin Allen and Gledhill. - Mkini
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