By M Santhananaban
Perhaps the most debatable – and disturbing – issue today is the retirement of our eminent Chief Justice, Tengku Maimun Che Mat.
Congratulations are in order for her, as she successfully completes her mandated term of office with utmost dedication, dignified decorum and distinction.
Appointed in early May 2019, Tengku Maimun has served in this highest judicial office for six years and two months.
Her tenure has been a remarkably notable one, as she has had the rare opportunity of being in office during the tenure of four different prime ministers – an experience that none of her predecessors had.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN), CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a pledge or schedule an auto donation to Aliran every month or every quarter
- Become an Aliran member
Even more uniquely as the chief justice, she had the onerous task of reaffirming the prison sentence and RM210m fine imposed on a former prime minister.
Tengku Maimun’s tenure was, for these reasons, exceptional, extremely delicate and difficult.
Yet most people in Malaysia would agree she proved both prepared and equal to the tasks entrusted to her. She has, on the whole, adjudicated the cases before her with fairness, finesse and forthrightness.
Together with her other Federal Court colleagues, she has earned for the judiciary an elevated position of integrity, temperance, transparency and trust.
Most significantly, Malaysia’s judiciary has recovered and re-energised its authority as the ultimate guardian of fundamental questions relating to inalienable rights, equality, private property and justice.
As Tengku Maimun relinquishes her office, she does so in an environment where she has earned the respect and trust of the people of Malaysia.
However, the discretionary six-month extension usually given as a matter of course to Federal Court judges has not been granted.
This has become the fly in the ointment.
The judiciary under the leadership of Tengku Maimun has regained the stature and symbolism entrusted to it by the Federal Constitution.
If Parliament and the executive can be prevailed upon to play, with the assistance of the fourth estate, a more positive and less divisive role, they can provide more effective good governance. This is so desperately needed in the country.
The nation will then be assured of peace, unity, greater prosperity and stability.
Let us hope for the best outcome despite the perilous pitfalls of politics being politics.
Dato’ M Santhananaban is a retired Malaysian ambassador with 45 years of public sector experience.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
