Appointment of New Chief Justice
I
wish to congratulate Tan Sri Mohd Dzaiddin Abdullah for his appointment as the new Chief
Justice. Incidentally, I have known him since the early sixties, when he served as
Inspector in the Malaysian police force (for some time in the Special Branch, if I am
not mistaken), before he took up law. I remember him as a friendly and likeable person.
I
do not hold anything against Dzaiddin for whatever role he played in the past. For the
present, I sympathise with him because he is assuming a very important office at the
time when the image, reputation and credibility of the Judiciary are perhaps at the
lowest ebb. He will have a tough job trying to restore them.
For a start,
Dzaiddin’s appointment provides some hope. In all sincerity I believe that he will be
able to improve the credibility of the CJ’s office by proving to be an incorruptible,
independent and just Chief Justice, who cannot be wavered by any undue pressure from the
political masters.
To restore the image and reputation of the judiciary, Dzaiddin
needs to go beyond himself. I am afraid he will be faced with the serious challenge of
trying to overhaul part of the judiciary that has already been “worm eaten”. This is
a noble task that he can set out to do. This will be his true test. I pray the best for
him.
Dr Syed Husin
Ali
Presiden PRM
7hb Disember 2000
