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Independence of judiciary proven

Tuesday, 10 January 2012 09:29am

©The Sun Daily (Used by permission)

by HEMANANTHANI SIVANANDAM

> Verdict shows neither politics nor politicians have inﬂuence over dispensation of justice: Najib

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional leaders said the verdict in the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trial proves that the judiciary is independent, as opposed to what is alleged by opposition leaders.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday’s court ruling has seen the government cleared once and for all of the many baseless accusations of political interference and conspiracy against the opposition leader.

“Today’s verdict shows once again that, despite what many have claimed, the Malaysian judiciary is an independent institution where neither politics nor politicians have any influence over the dispensation of justice,” he said.

Najib said this further strengthens the clear separation of powers of each branch of the Malaysian government, with neither branch interfering with the workings of the other.

“As head of the executive branch, I respect the decisions of the other branch of government, the judiciary,” the prime minister said in a statement issued after his return yesterday from a visit to South Africa.

The High Court acquitted and discharged Anwar, 64, on a charge of sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 26, in 2008. Najib said this case was brought by a private individual and it was important that he had his accusations heard in court. “Far from being a politicallymotivated prosecution, it has been an unwelcome distraction from the serious business of running our country in the interests of the people,” he said.

* Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz told theSun that the decision proves what the Opposition has claimed is wrong.

“Unlike them (the Opposition), we respect the decision of the judge. All this while, they have said our judiciary

is not fair but now it is proven that the courts are very independent.”

* Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah: “As lawabiding citizens, the outcome of the trial must be accepted and respected.” On claim of an unfair judiciary system, he said: “I have always respected the judiciary institution so there is no question on its independence.”

Kota Belud MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the decision is vindication for the judiciary. Although the prosecution has the right to appeal the verdict, Abdul Rahman however felt that the country needs closure and should move on.

“We now need to focus on nation building. I personally believe although law provides for appeal, looking at the bigger picture, the court decided that there was not enough evidence and so because of that, Anwar was acquitted.

“How are you going to appeal on that basis unless there is new evidence presented.”

* Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam tweeted: “The verdict on Anwar should put an end to all accusations of a manipulated judiciary.”

* Gerakan deputy president Datuk Chang Ko Youn in a statement called on Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders to apologise to the public for “the wild and baseless allegations made against the judiciary and the government with regard to the trial”.

“It is only fair they apologise to the public because over the past three years, they have made wild, spurious and unfounded allegations against the judiciary and government of manipulating the judicial process.”

* Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the verdict shows that the country’s judiciary is independent and able to deliver judgment without fear or favour.

“The judgment has been made, and with this, it is proven that the country’s judiciary is reputable, and its judgments are on par with those made in the developed countries, which are based on the rule of law,” he said.

In a statement issued earlier, Rais noted Anwar’s acquittal proved that the government did not hold sway over judges’ decisions.

* Land and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the verdict proved that the judiciary is independent and there is no interference from the authorities.

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