KUALA LUMPUR – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law) Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has described the contents on accountability in the Attorney-General’s Chambers and judiciary in the book My Story: Justice in the Wilderness as nonsense, and gave his assurance that he will act in accordance with the law against any effort to belittle legal bodies and the judiciary.
He said the former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas’ memoir appears to be aimed at insulting and tarnishing the integrity and reputation of legal institutions and officers, as well as being written mala fide.
“After studying the contents and essence of the book diligently, I was taken aback and felt that many aspects of the book were nonsense, especially when touching on the question of accountability, transparency and impartiality of legal officers working in the AGC and courts all across the country.
“As a former legal officer in the judiciary in the 1980s as well as a former member of the Judicial and Legal Service Officers’ Association (JALSOA), I believe that every legal officer always holds fast to the key principles of the law,” he said in an open letter to legal officers and the judiciary today.
Takiyuddin said that by sticking to these principles, legal officers will always act within the confines of the law, free from any interference, inducements, pressure, threats or disturbance, whether directly or indirectly from any party.
He said the AGC and judiciary are legal institutions that are always open to all views and suggestions from within and outside, and even constructive criticism.
“Our attitude is to respect the principles of fundamental liberties or fundamental rights that are prescribed in the federal constitution. We believe admonitions that are constructive can further raise the quality in carrying out judicial and legal work among our officers.
“However, the admonitions must be made with noble intentions and with reasonable courtesy and responsibility within the limits of the law,” he said.
He said the judicial process cannot run well, smoothly or effectively without the support of legal officers in the AGC and courts, as well as legal practitioners in the private sector.
He said integration and cooperation between these three sectors ensure law and justice are upheld in society.
He said that he was confident that the capability, commitment, dedication, expertise and honesty of legal officers in legal bodies and the judiciary is beyond question.
Takiyuddin said the officers’ tasks are always based on the law and never according one’s own wishes or to gain popularity with any party.
“As such, I give the assurance that the government will always monitor and act according to the law against any effort to belittle legal bodies and the judiciary.
“The principle of the rule of law must be made the guideline for each individual or group in making any decision and consideration. Everyone is bound by the law, no man is above the law and everyone, whatever his condition or rank is, is subject to the ordinary laws of the land,” he said.
He also urged legal officers in the AGC and judiciary to continue carrying out their tasks with determination and in a high spirit to uphold justice and the sovereignty of Malaysian laws.
Last Wednesday, the JALSOA executive committee had issued a statement strongly objecting to Thomas’ views on legal officers in the AGC in his memoir, saying the contents insulted its members, while the day before, former solicitor-general III Datuk Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria had lodged a police report against Thomas for allegedly defaming him in the book. – Bernama, February 6, 2021
