CJ vows to do what's right

Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad has vowed to “do what he honestly believes to be right, as best he can” to improve the public’s perception of the judiciary.

The new Chief justice vows to safeguard independence of the judiciary, revive public confidence in the institution.

And to show he is not mincing his words and means to whip the judiciary back into a respected institution, the nation's 11th Chief Justice flashed a placard with the words "BUAT KERJA! (work!) to his subordinates shortly after being sworn in.

He received a rousing handclap from the audience comprising former Chief Justice Tun Dzaiddin Mohamad, Federal, Appeal, High court judges, Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan and others.

He said:

"I am aware that this appointment is a heavy burden on me. It is more so when it happens at a very challenging time, that is, when public perceptions of the judiciary are disturbing, when the integrity of the courts in the administration of justice is doubted, when appointments and the behaviour of judges and their commitments in the discharge of their duties, are all being questioned,"

.

Describing the judiciary as the last frontier of a nation.

"When the people no longer have confidence in the courts, there will be chaos."

"The independence of the judiciary means giving decision in a case based on law and evidence adduced in court without being influenced or pressured by any party."

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