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KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government is committed to undertake broad-based judicial reforms including the setting up of a judicial appointment commission.
This according to Minister in the Prime Minister's department Zaid Ibrahim who indicated that Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi will be making an announcement on it soon.
Speaking to reporters at his office in Putrajaya, the prominent lawyer reiterated that the government will take into account all recommendations to overhaul the judiciary, including setting up a judicial commission to ensure transparency in the appointment and promotion of judges.
Mr Zaid Ibrahim said: "The government is committed to judicial reforms. Whatever we need to do to restore to bring about changes we will do."
His comment came a day after the Regent of Perak Raja Nazreen Shah said that the time has come for a thorough judiciary reform to restore the people's confidence.
A similar call was made by the Bar Council who organised a march of justice in 2007.
Malaysia's judicial system has suffered an erosion of confidence since the judicial crisis in 1988, when three senior judges including the then Lord President Salleh Abbas was removed for alleged misconduct.
Mr Abdullah has blamed his predecessor, Mahathir Mohamad, for the poor state of the judiciary.
And Minister Zaid agrees with the Prime Minister.
He said: "The sacking of judges was done under his rule, the incidents of allegations of corruption of judiciary was under his rule, the law that's passed that took away judicial power was also under his rule. All these allegations and problems were all under his rule."
Nevertheless, Mr Zaid said it's important to look forward and implement reform as soon as possible.
He had earlier called on Mr Abdullah's government to apologise to Mr Salleh for wrongful dismissal.
But the government was non-committal given the wide legal implications.
Analysts said that time is running out for Mr Abdullah whom they said must undertake judicial reform quickly in order to fulfil his electoral promises to the people who are fast losing patience with his leadership. - CNA/vm
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