©Bernama
(Used by permission)
CYBERJAYA, Fri.: The ex–gratia payment announced by the government yesterday for
six former judges involved in the 1988 judicial crisis is not a form of apology
to them, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today.
“The ex–gratia payment does not tantamount to revisiting whatever that has been decided. It is not to be construed as any form of apology but this is our way of addressing some of their personal considerations and some of the personal experiences, hardship that they have gone through.
“That is all... so it is to be seen in that light. It should not be construed as
anything beyond that,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a
joint–venture agreement between automakers Chery Automobile Co Ltd and Alado
Corporation Sdn Bhd, here.
The six former judges were the late Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader and Tan Sri Wan
Suleiman Pawanteh, and Tun Salleh Abas, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Tan Sri Wan
Hamzah Mohamed and Datuk George Seah.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that the
government, apart from paying the ex–gratia to the six former judges, would set
up a Judicial Appointments Commission to nominate, appoint and promote judges in
a transparent and representative manner.
On the members of the commission, Najib said it would be discussed at a later
stage.
“I think it (setting–up of the commission) is a significant step forward because
the reform or changes announced by the prime minister yesterday means that the
government is aware that we do need to ensure that our judiciary has the highest
reputation and that the judiciary system in the country can perform in terms of
deciding on cases in an expeditious manner and that judges of the highest
integrity and capability are appointed at the various levels.
“The formation of this commission, it must be emphasised, is only in an advisory
capacity. The final authority still lies with the prime minister to make the
formal recommendation to the Yang Di–Pertuan Agong and the Council of Rulers.
“It is a very significant step forward because it means that the prime minister
will have the benefit of a group of very learned, eminent people to give their
opinions on the suitability of appointing personalities into the various
positions in the judiciary,” said Najib.
In another development, Najib, who is also deputy Barisan Nasional (BN)
chairman, said the government would give fair consideration to all the races,
including the Indians, regarding their claims.
Najib said this when asked to comment on MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy
Vellu’s statement yesterday in Malaysiakini, a news website, that he
would seek foreign help if the government did not do something to help the
Indian community in Malaysia.
“I don’t know what he said. I will have to ask Datuk Seri Samy Vellu what he
meant.
“In terms of our policies, we will give fair and just consideration to all the
races and we are willing to consider whatever the Indian community needs but it
must all be within the context of the BN alliance.
“We are willing to consider anything but not in the form of threats. It must be
in the form of request, proposal and so forth,” he said.