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©The Star (Used by permission)
by Muguntan Vanar

KOTA KINABALU: The Judicial Appointments Commission should be set up as soon as possible to restore public confidence in the judiciary as independent and impartial.

Sabah Law Association (SLA) president Datuk John Sikayun said that the formation of the JAC, which would independently vet and recommend suitable people to become judges and judicial officers, should be a priority as it was in the national interest.

“We understand that the Government is not pushing through the proposed JAC as vigorously as it should,” he said at SLA 38th annual dinner here attended by Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman on Saturday.

“The Bar’s role has always been given weight in the process as they were the views of the professionals who appeared before courts on a daily basis,” he said, adding however that it was on an informal basis.

“Over the last 20 years, there has been enough said on the state of our judiciary which gives rise to concern, including the quality of judgements, allegations of corruption and that the partiality of judges,” Sikayun said.

He also suggested that the Government consider a mechanism for judges to channel their grievances and complaints related to their judicial work.

“Judges are human too and, at times, need to ventilate their woes and frustrations. The absence of a mechanism may lead to unpleasant consequence of judges having no alternative but to make comments of a personal nature in open court,” he added.

He also welcomed the proposal by the federal government to restore Article 121(1) of the Constitution to the original version that ensured the separation of powers for the judiciary.

The JAC was proposed by the Government in April as part of its efforts to reform the judiciary.

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