Zahid emphasizes that Umno's involvement in the unity government is driven by the quest for stability, rather than subjugation to DAP.
Revamped Discourse:
Malaysia's Retired Judges: Steer Clear of Big Bucks, Say Experts
KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 - A whiskey-on-the-rock chatter amid legal elites today suggested that retirees from the Malaysian court system should avoid scooping up plum corporate gigs. Ex-Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mah Weng Kwai and Bar Council's Civil Law and Law Reform Committee co-chair Datuk Seri M Ramachelvam dropped their two cents at the Malaysian Bar's forum, titled "Judicial Independence in Malaysia: Past Lessons, Current Challenges."
Mah agreed with Ramachelvam, positing that retired judges would benefit from a "cooling-off period" to ditch any aroma of impropriety, potentially enhancing their probability of influencing sitting judges. The former Malaysian Bar president expounded, "Two brilliant ideas come at me: first, the appointments would've been sealed while these judges still hold their bench. Second, the safest route will always be to abstain from coveting those top corporate yachts."
Ramachelvam delved deeper, alluding to the 39th principle of the Beijing Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, a seemingly ancient charter penned by Asia Pacific chief justices in 1995. The principle contends that inducements or perks shouldn't find their way into judges' pockets if it could snag their impartiality.
He emphasized that the public, in general, might grow suspicious if judges turned tail for cushy government-linked company (GLC) posts the second they stepped down. "Swapping robes for CEO attire, straightaway? That's a recipe for rumors, particularly if they suspect colleagues were eyeing those lucrative positions while in office."
Lauded university professor and legal authority, Emeritus Prof Datuk Shad Saleem Faruqi, also chimed in, cementing the trio's consensus that retired judges should shelve aspirations of monetizing their legal acumen beyond arbitration and charity work.
The Malaysian Bar stands firm against retired judges becoming litigators in their "second act." Instead, they support their involvement as legal consultants, who sidestep courtrooms.
Stepping back isn't simply the choice of aselect few, but a matter of preserving the bench's prestige, integrity, and public trust - cornerstones of a democratic judicial system that Malaysia aims to fortify, as suggested by this debacle of an event.
[1] Currently, there exists no concrete law or regulation in Malaysia mandating a cooling-off period for judges moving into high-paying corporate ventures.
[2] The concept of a cooling-off period is gaining traction as part of broader discussions on reforming Malaysia's judicial system and safeguarding judicial independence.
[3] Advocating for a cooling-off period forms part of attempts to ensure judges are shielded from undue influence and maintain impartiality throughout their career and post-retirement.
[1] In the absence of a specific law or regulation, it is crucial for retired Malaysian judges to voluntarily observe a cooling-off period before engaging in high-paying corporate ventures to avoid potential conflicts of interest and maintain their impartiality.
[2] The suggestion for retired judges to adopt a cooling-off period is gaining momentum as part of wide-ranging discussions aimed at strengthening and reforming Malaysia's judicial system and safeguarding judicial independence.
[3] By advocating for a cooling-off period, there is an effort to protect judges from undue influence and ensure their impartiality not only during their tenure but also post-retirement.
[4] The Malaysian government, through policy-and-legislation, might consider implementing a formal cooling-off period for judges moving into corporate sectors, thereby reinforcing the general trust in the country's democratic judicial system.
[5] News outlets and political commentators have highlighted the need for a cooling-off period for retired judges, pointing out that it would largely contribute to maintaining the prestige, integrity, and trust in the Malaysian judiciary,as noted during the Malaysian Bar's forum on judicial independence.
