RESTORING TRUST IN THE JUDICIARY

The above is the title of the editorial column of the New Straits Times (NST) on 20th November 2007.

Since the 1988 judicial crisis a lot of waters have passed under the bridge. A lot that we ordinary Malaysians should have learned from. But history have always teach us that we have never learn from history.

There had been much sufferings during the tumultuous years of the regional Economic Crisis of 1996/97 through the action of George Soros and others . A lot of Bumiputras had seen their precious savings disappeared in front of their own eyes into the thin air just like that. Especially those who had invested in shares.

When the tsunami-like economic and financial crisis started with the the collapse of the Thai Baht in early 1997 it had contagious effects on the regional economies and the index of stock exchanges of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia dropped very badly. A lot of Malaysian corporate figures of all races suffered. The Malay corporate figures especially the new kids on the block who have no overseas businesses to back them up suffered badly. Some of them got cheated left and right. But they have no recourse to the courts as their decisions are not consistent and no finality.

With the Lingam video clip, the findings of the three man panel recommending to the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry and the subsequent announcement by Pak Lah that the government will set up the Royal Commission to look into the matter , all these will augur well for the business community and foreign investments.

It is my prayers that the Royal Commission, that will be set up, will discharge its duties well in the interest of the ordinary Malaysians. As the legal dictum goes " Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done".

Hence I totally agree with the above NST editorial which is entitled "Restoring Trust In The Judiciary".