Dance controversy: Not morals, but of separation of powers, says KJ

Former BN minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said that the controversy surrounding the act of the country's highest ranked legal officers and its law minister dancing at a legal gala dinner recently has nothing to do with moral policing.

Instead, he stressed that the issue at the heart of the matter was the separation of powers between the executive and judiciary.

"The dancing controversy is not about dancing, we are not so close-minded to say that there can be no dancing at functions, especially at a celebratory event.

"In Umno, we are used to having dances, as long as they do not go overboard.

"The issue is on the separation of powers," the Rembau MP told reporters when visiting Sungai Ruil Orang Asli village in Cameron Highlands today.

Khairy pointed out that many had once kicked up a fuss when a video circulated of former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali and ministers dancing at a Merdeka event, adding that it had not even been at an official event.

It was said that members of the judiciary and executive should not be mingling in public in such a manner, so as to preserve the integrity of the two institutions.

'Don't invite negative speculation'

Khairy said that while he personally has no issue with the whole affair, he added: "To me, it is not a question of morals but of separation of powers.

"They replied it was just one song and so forth... to me, there is no problem attending an event, but we must avoid actions which could invite negative speculation."

He was referring to the controversy which arose after a video surfaced of attorney-general Tommy Thomas, chief justice Richard Malanjum and de facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong dancing with several other lawyers during the Opening of the Legal Year 2019 gala dinner.

The event was organised by the Sabah Law Society and was held on Thursday night at the Magellan Sutera Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Earlier today, Liew was reported as saying that the three had been invited on stage by the organisers and that they have just danced to one song. 

This was in the wake of criticism from several quarters, including lawyers, that the act was bad for the perception of judicial independence. 

PKR leadership council member Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was also among those who criticised the move, saying that there must be a consistent stand on such matters, especially as the then opposition, now ruling coalition, had criticised Apandi and ministers in 2016 for a similar incident. - Mkini