While there are countries that
have Royalties as guardians of their respective nations and
citizens, and they are mostly expected to be above politics.
As guardians to the nation and citizens, Royalties are allowed to
exercise their independent judgment and advise the Political
Leadership - as much as the Royalties are expected to take advise
in return from the Political Leaders.
In Malaysia now, the Royal Council of Rulers are flexing their
independence following the disgusting deterioration of the
standards and reputation of the Malaysian Judiciary, and are now
determined to restore the Malaysian Judiciary to its glorious past
- untethered to the Political Leaders, and above all forms of
politics.
Rulers to discuss CJs position
By WONG CHUN WAI
The New Straits Times, 1 November 2007, Thursday
KUALA LUMPUR: The position of Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh
Abdul Rahim, whose tenure ended yesterday, will be discussed at the
Conference of Rulers which will be attended by the Yang di-Pertuan
Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.
Although the matter is not on the agenda, it is almost certain that
a few Rulers will bring it up for discussion in view of the
controversy surrounding the post of late.
Royal meeting: The Keeper of the Rulers' Seal Tan Seri Engku
Ibrahim Engku Ngah (left) receiving the Sultan of Perak Sultan
Azlan Shah at the 212th Rulers Conference at Istana Negara in Kuala
Lumpur yesterday. The Sultan is followed by other Rulers and
Mentris Besar. Bernama
Abdullah is expected to share his views on Ahmad Fairuz, who is
said to have applied for an extension, with the Rulers.
It is learnt that the Ahmad Fairuz subject will crop up under
other matters arising.
Ahmad Fairuz, who turns 66 today, reportedly had his statement
recorded by the Anti-Corruption Agency investigating the video clip
controversy.
A lawyer was filmed talking to supposedly a senior judge on his
handphone, purportedly trying to broker the appointment of
judges.
There have been many speculation over the position of Ahmad Fairuz
and who could possibly succeed him.
All judges are to retire on reaching 66 unless they received an
extension but there has been no announcement that Ahmad Fairuz's
term had been extended.
According to a source, contrary to certain reports, Ahmad Fairuzs
position was not discussed at the meeting yesterday, which was
attended by only four Sultans.
Another source said the matter was not brought up at yesterday's
Cabinet meeting either.
Among the others expected to attend the meeting today are the
Sultan of Perak, Sultan of Kedah, Sultan of Selangor and the other
heads of state. The other Rulers will be represented by their crown
princes or Regents.
It has been reported that the Rulers can make their recommendations
on the appointment of the Chief Justice but the Prime Minister
would have the final say on who should hold the position.
Ahmad Fairuz's started his career in the judicial service as a
magistrate in Penang. He has also served in important positions
such as the Legal Adviser of Kedah/Perlis, Johor and Selangor,
Official Assignee of Malaysia, chairman of the Advisory Panel in
the Prime Minister's Department and Special Commissioner of Income
Tax.
He was appointed a judicial commissioner in 1988 and a High Court
judge two years later.
He was promoted to the Court of Appeal in 1995 and became a Federal
Court judge in 2000, Chief Justice of Malaya in 2001 and president
of the Court of Appeal in December 2002.
He was appointed Chief Justice on March 17, 2003.
While Malaysia will re-assess and
reform itself to return independence to its judiciary, Singapore's
judicial system remains tethered to the POWER OF ONE, with all
selections passing through the scrutiny of the Sole Self-Serving
and Self-Appointed Guardian of the Judiciary.
