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 ©New
Straits Times (Used by permission)
by V. Anbalagan
• Zaid condemns report against magistrate
PUTRAJAYA: The decision to transfer a magistrate from Manjung, Perak, to the
Palace of Justice here was made before a police report was lodged against her.
Chief Registrar of the Federal Court Datuk Halijah Abbas said
the magistrate was posted here as a senior assistant registrar.
"It is common practice for a legal officer in the judicial service to be
transferred from one place to another, holding a different post from time to
time," she said in a statement.
Halijah said transfers were meant for the career development of officers.
She said even a High Court judge was subject to transfer in the interest of the
service.
"I will reiterate that her transfer has no connection whatsoever with the police
report lodged against her ."
Halijah was responding to a commentary in the New Straits Times on Monday
that police reports were lodged against the magistrate in Manjung and another
magistrate in George Town for their refusal to grant an extension of remand
order for police to investigate criminal cases.
According to the commentary, police could have sought the advice of a deputy
public prosecutor who had the option to file for a revision before a High Court.
In the Manjung case, a report was made against the magistrate on July 6 and her
transfer letter stated she was to report for duty here on Aug 1.
Halijah said it was premature for her to comment on the George Town case because
police had commenced investigations into the matter.
Police versus Magistrate: Zaid condemns report against
magistrate
KUALA LUMPUR: The country's de facto law minister has joined
the chorus of voices condemning the police for filing reports against
magistrates.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Zaid
Ibrahim yesterday said the reports, lodged by police officers sore that their
requests for extension of remands were rejected, were "extraordinary events".
"This requires investigation as it borders on contempt. People who are sitting
on the Bench should not be subject to such pressure," he told the press after
opening the celebrations marking Malaysian Human Rights Day.
He said whatever grievances the men in blue had against the magistrates should
have been taken through the proper channel -- the Home Ministry and its
minister.
The Bar Council on Monday said it was "shocked" at the situation, and was
concerned over the possibility that one of the magistrates may have been
transferred to the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya as an administrative officer
due to the report.
Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan stated these acts
were an affront to the independence and dignity of the judicial system and a
direct interference with the administration of justice, more so when there was a
legal avenue available to the police to file for a review of such orders.
She called for such action to cease immediately and those responsible be made
accountable.
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