Tun M: RCI Will Be Set Up To Probe Judge Hamid's Exposé On Judicial Misconduct
Justice Hamid Sultan Abu Backer had previously alleged interference in several high-profile court cases.
By Jia Vern Tham — 21 Feb 2019, 12:10 PM
Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has confirmed that a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) will be set up to investigate claims made by Court of Appeal judge Datuk Hamid Sultan Abu Backer in his 63-page affidavit
"We are setting up an RCI, and it is up to them to look into the allegations made by the judge," Mahathir was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini earlier today, 21 February.
"We will set up the RCI and the terms (of reference) will be determined later," he added, according to The Star.
Composition of the RCI will be recommended by the Attorney-General (AG)
Free Malaysia Today quoted a source as saying that the AG will also be drafting the terms of reference for the RCI.
Terms of reference are used to ensure the panel will be focused on what needs to be probed within confined parameters, and not deviate from what was intended to be achieved.
The Cabinet reportedly agreed to an RCI yesterday, 20 February.
Hamid filed the affidavit on 14 February in support of a court application by daughter of Karpal Singh, Sangeet Kaur Deo
Sangeet applied to seek a declaration that Chief Justice Richard Malanjum failed to complete investigations into cases of judicial interference.
Following the affidavit, Free Malaysia Today reported that calls for an RCI have been made by the Malaysian Bar, Sabah Law Society, Advocates Association of Sarawak, National Patriots Association, Reform Caucus for Parliament, Lawyers for Liberty, and Bersih 2.0.