Chief Justice Must Show The Same Efficiency He Demands From Other Judges.

Why is the position of Chief Judge of Malaya still vacant? Asking this question is Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang.

He is quoted in the NST today as saying it had been 2½ months since the retirement of the former Chief Judge of Malaya, Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob, on Jan 5.

"The excuse that it will take some time to fill the position as it has to be forwarded to the prime minister, who will then advise the Conference of Rulers on the appointment, and that the Conference meets only once in every three months is unacceptable.

"It reflects poorly on the efficiency and professionalism of the Chief Justice that he could not ensure a smooth transition for high judicial appointments so that a new Chief Judge of Malaya could take over immediately after Siti Norma retired on Jan 5."

***** Currently Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim is the acting Chief Judge of Malaya. Kit Siang is absolutely justified in questioning the Chief Justice's intentions, motives and lame excuses for this inordinate and deplorable delay. It is as if he does not want another powerful figure apart from him to govern the judiciary and is intent on delaying the appointment of the Chief Judge for as long as he can.

A lot of suspicion was cast on Ahmad Fairuz, when after Tan Sri Siti Norma retired, he went on a judge transferring spree which by right should have been left to the next Chief Judge of Malaya. (You can read about that here: Why Is The Chief Justice In A Reckless Hurry To Transfer Judges?)

It is about time that Ahmad Fairuz realizes that people are increasingly suspicious of his true intentions and he had better dispel any doubts by personally seeing to it that the vacancy is filled immediately. Or is the candidate whom he prefers to be the Chief Judge not acceptable to the others? Anyone would like to hazard a guess?
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