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©New Straits Times (Used by permission)
by Marc Lourdes

KUALA LUMPUR: Our courts should never be allowed to become theatres whose players act to a pre-ordained script, or a hunting ground for those seeking political influence.

Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said lawyers should set themselves as examples when it comes to obeying the law and should at all times defend the sanctity of the courts from being skewed by irresponsible parties.

He was speaking at the Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) convocation ceremony at PWTC yesterday.

"A legal system based on firm ethical guidelines for lawyers will strengthen the check and balance mechanism between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary.

"A system that has the people's confidence is a pre-condition to ensuring the peace of the nation is not jeopardised and it is an effective instrument to ensure the citizens do not look for more extreme alternatives that could lead to anarchy."

He said rule of law was also an important component in ensuring the continued confidence of the outside world, especially investors, towards our country.

"The sacred codes, enactments and acts of the law become meaningless if they are stained by the actions of those who do not honour the ethics of their profession.

"The value of the law is in how those who have been given the trust to uphold it carry out their duties. Its strength and honour lie not in the beauty of courthouse architecture, high-tech facilities or in the fancy clothes of powerful advocates.

"The courts and practitioners of law need to have strong spirits capable of upholding the respected institution."

Raja Nazrin said the courts need to be known as an institution that guarantees justice and defends the downtrodden.

"It needs to know only one language -- truth and justice for all, be it the rich, poor, of high rank or not, whether they are ruling or whether they are being ruled," he told the graduating class of students.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who also gave a speech, said all those who had passed did so on merit.

"No other criteria was used. Some people still ask if the qualifying board uses a quota system.

"I would like to stress that a quota, be it one of percentage or one of race, has never been used.

"All decisions are made fairly and professionally and based on merit," he said.

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