Media Statement
Justice has Lost a Friend
Aliran deeply mourns the passing of Tun Mohamad Suffian Mohd Hashim, the country's fourth Lord President, who was often fondly referred to as the `Kampung Boy' because of his humble origins.
Tun Suffian was noted for his wit and wisdom and widely respected for his scholarly judgments and courageous statements. Ever forthright in his views and always fearless in expressing them, Tun Suffian was in the front line of battle against the excesses of the executive and in the defence of the judiciary.
Unlike many others who had held high office, Tun Suffian refused to fade away on retirement. He continued to be active and was sought by many for his wise counsel. Internationally recognised and appointed to serve on important tribunals, he distinguished himself and brought honour to the country.
An astute observer of events, he agonised over the decline of the judiciary and was scathing in his comments.
As recently as on 10 March, while speaking in honour of the late Justice Tan Sri Wan Sulaiman at the Bar Auditorium, he was very blunt:
"Judges who joined in downing their boss have been rewarded
by promotion. Judges who did not, have been cowed into silence. Judges are at sixes and sevens. Some daren't speak to each other. While there are judges whose integrity and impartiality have never wavered, the public perception is that the judiciary as a whole can no longer be trusted to honour their oath of office. When I am asked what I thought, my usual reply is that I wouldn't like to be tried by today's judges, especially if I am innocent."
He was of course referring to the infamous Tun Salleh Abas episode of 1988 which shook the very foundations of our nation.
He had then observed:
"What happened to Tun Salleh and our Supreme Court Judges has shown that what took generations to build up can be destroyed in one day and will take many years to build".
He was subsequently to observe:
"Now that more than 12 years have elapsed, I doubt if the judiciary
would recover in a generation from today".
Salleh's unjust treatment and the injustice surrounding his dismissal flabbergasted him. He did not mince his words when he said:
"I never thought that what happened in Idi Amin's Uganda could happen in Malaysia. And when foreign friends in Europe, America and elsewhere questioned me about it, for the first time in my life I was ashamed of being Malaysian".
He did not spare the media either. He was very upset and disappointed with the pliant media:
"Our media does not dare publish the whole truth and expose abuse of power and wickedness, though improprieties in high places do not pass unnoticed by many of its unhappy practitioners. Consequently, the public has only been fed the untruthful and distorted official version of an unprecedented episode that brings shame not only to the perpetrators of the crime which left our judiciary in shambles, but also shame to the whole country".
With his passing, Justice has lost a friend and Freedom an invaluable ally. When people of calibre in high places take a public stand on issues of social concern, it matters a lot and makes a difference. Tun Suffian's personal moral standing and his stature as a respected former Lord President contributed immensely in the struggle to uphold the independence of the judiciary.
We in Aliran, like many caring Malaysians, will always cherish his memory and honour his name. We will remember him fondly as a great man who lived and died by his faith and principles.
May his soul rest in peace.
P. Ramakrishnan
President
27 September 2000
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