Gerakan: Judicial reform must be top priority

GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Cabinet to give top priority to judicial and other law reforms to restore public confidence in the system.

Its acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the party was concerned over former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim’s revelations of the obstacles he faced when trying to carry out reforms.

“We urge Cabinet ministers, especially those from Umno, to adopt a more open-minded approach so that the reforms promised by the Prime Minister can be effectively implemented to enhance the integrity of the legal system,” he said in a statement here on Thursday.

He said an important prerequisite in the Rule of Law, as enshrined in the Rukun Negara, was that the judiciary must be independent and impartial.

“Hence, reform is necessary to further improve the judicial system, including establishing a Judiciary Appointment Commission and Judiciary Complaints Commission,” he said.

Dr Koh also said that while he respected Zaid’s “firm and principled position,” he was saddened and disturbed by the resignation.

He said the party welcomed new de facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz’s assurance that he would proceed with judicial reforms.

“We want him to meet with non-governmental organisations, Bar Council and political parties to get their feedback and assure them of the government’s commitment for change,” he said.

-mSTAR Online