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Straits Times (Used by permission)
by V. Anbalagan
KUALA LUMPUR: The Bar Council welcomes the six-month extension given to Chief
Justice Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad.
Its chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan said the extended term of
Abdul Hamid would give him more time to bring about judicial reform and also
restore public confidence in the judiciary.
"It is therefore befitting that he is given time to continue with his task which
include emphasis on work ethics," she said.
Ambiga said the council hoped that Abdul Hamid would bring certainty and
transparency in the appointment and transfer of judges.
"We also hope the chief justice will support our move for the setting up of a
Judicial Appointment Commission," she said.
Ambiga said the council also expected Abdul Hamid to quickly
resolve the issue of unwritten judgments at all levels.
She said the council met up with the chief justice recently and he was
responsive to issues raised,
"It was a very meaningful meeting and we hope to have more dialogues with him,"
she said.
Yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said the
Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, had consented to the
extension.
His tenure was extended under clause (1) of Article 125 of the Federal
Constitution.
Abdul Hamid will turn 66, the mandatory retirement age for judges, on April 17
and with the extension, he will remain in office until Oct 17.
He was made chief justice on Nov 1 last year.
The chief justice supervises the functioning of the judiciary and the prime
minister consults him in the appointment of judicial commissioners and elevation
of judges.
In his speech after his elevation as chief justice, Abdul Hamid said the
appointment came at a challenging time when public perception of the judiciary
was disturbing, when the integrity of the courts in the administration of
justice was doubted, when appointments and the behaviour of judges and their
commitments in the discharge of their duties, were all being questioned.
He said the perception about the judiciary had to be corrected as soon as
possible.
The only effective way was for judges, officers and staff of the courts at all
levels to work hard, be honest and transparent, he said.
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