Umno calls for their resignations to maintain image of judiciary

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Umno views the dancing act by Attorney General Tommy Thomas and Chief Justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum as unethical, and calls for their resignations to maintain the good name of the judiciary.

The party also felt it was unacceptable for Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, who is in charge of law, to been seen dancing on the same stage with the two highly-placed personalities.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the judiciary was supposed to be exclusive and its members should not be seen associating or having an external relationship.

“This could be seen as having an influence on the decisions they make in court.

“Judges are not angels, they are humans who can sometimes be influenced by friendships and other relationships.

“The perception towards them is very bad now. To clean up their mess, they should apologise to the people and consider resigning voluntarily,” he said in Brinchang here yesterday.

Thomas, Malanjum and Liew were seen dancing at the gala dinner hosted by the Sabah Law Society in conjunction with the Opening of Legal Year 2019 in Kota Kinabalu on Friday.

The viral clip also showed activist lawyers Siti Kasim and Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan dancing to the classic Chubby Checker 60s hit Let’s Twist Again. Critics said their fraternising had tarnished the image of the judiciary.

Ismail Sabri said it was not wrong for them to dance but seeing all of them dancing on the same stage would cause a negative perception.

“From a layman’s point of view, they think can kao tim (settle cases) now, as they are all together in one gang.

“People may think that if the AG brings a case to court, he can win easily. It’s all perception and assumption and maybe it’s not the case, but we just want to avoid this. Judiciary ethics must be maintained,” he added.

De facto Deputy Law Minister Hanipa Maidin said he was puzzled by all the fuss over the dancing.

“As far as I know, the legal fraternity has been consistently organising the dinner and dance almost every year.

“That has been part of its rich traditions. Such an event does not, in any circumstances, sacrifice its professionalism,” he said.

Hanipa said the critics were entitled to express their opinions.

“This is called democracy and freedom of speech. In a new Malaysia, such freedom has fortunately blossomed,” he added.

Senior lawyer Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said the video showing members of the legal fraternity should not be made into an issue.

“That is a social gathering and there is no problem with it. I also attended gatherings when I was a DPP and magistrate back then. I was present when the Bar Council organised a gathering.

“If there was dancing, I also danced along. But that is a sign of respect for our camaraderie.

“There was no problem and the question of ethical violations did not arise,” he said yesterday.- Star