Refrain from influencing court, says Chief Justice

The public and lawyers are reminded to refrain from issuing statements to try and influence the court's decision on a case.

Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Arifin Zakaria said such action would disturb the court which had been vested the authority to make judgements without interference or pressure from any party.

He also reminded judges, judicial commissioners, and judicial officers and staff to maintain their image and be precise in their rulings, as an assurance to the public that the judiciary may not be influenced or swayed.

Arifin said this in his address at the appointment and oath-taking ceremony for seven judicial commissioners.

The new judicial commissioners are Datuk Azimah Omar, 51, Datuk Nordin Hassan, 50, Datuk Mat Zara'ai Alias, 56, Datuk Azmi Ariffin, 53, Noorin Badaruddin, 47, Colin Lawrence Sequerah, 53, and Datuk Wong Kian Kheong, 50.

They received their appointment letters from Arifin and took their oath before Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin.

Prior to their appointment, Azimah had been the Federal Court chief registrar, Nordin, head of the Apellate and Trial Division, Attorney General's Chambers, while Mat Zara'ai, chairman of the Advisory Board, Prime Minister's Department.

Azmi had been Kedah state legal adviser, Noorin, deputy head at the prosecution division (Policy), Attorney General's Chambers, while Sequerah and Wong, advocates and solicitors.

Arifin also stressed that preparing prompt and quality judgement grounds was the main responsibility of the judiciary, as stipulated in the Judges' Code of Ethics 2009.

"Good judgement grounds will become an authority for reference not only by local legal practitioners but also the international court," he opined.

He said the judicial commissioners would undergo an induction programme, organised for the first time by the Judicial Appointment Commission.

Meanwhile, Arifin declined to comment when asked by the media, whether Malaysia was an Islamic or secular state.

However, he did agree that the government could invoke Article 130 of the Federal Constitution on the issue. Article 130 states that the Yang diPertuan Agong may refer to the Federal Court for its opinion, any question affecting any provision of the Constitution.