THERE is nothing wrong with Chief Justice Richard Malanjum and Attorney-General Tommy Thomas dancing at the Legal Year 2019 gala dinner, but it raises concerns regarding the principle of separation of powers, said Najib Razak.
The former prime minister said the video of the duo dancing with other guests at the event in Kota Kinabalu on Friday has led to the people questioning whether the principle is in place.
“Although it is not wrong to dance, (it’s about) the people’s perception. There must be talk among the people about the separation of powers between the attorney-general, chief justice, law minister and others.
“This is a principle based on our constitution that has become the pillar for the rule of law, which is highly upheld by the new government,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with motorcycle enthusiasts in Kuala Lumpur today.
Najib said the video also raised questions as to whether Malanjum and Thomas respect the principle of separation of powers.
“This is why I say it is not wrong to dance, it depends on the individual, but the concern is regarding the principle of separation of powers.”
He questioned why the Pakatan Harapan government is keeping quiet on the controversy whereas former attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali had been criticised over a similar matter.
“Apandi was criticised then. So, if the same standard is applied, why are they (PH) silent now?”
In 2016, a video showing a man resembling then attorney-general Apandi dancing with Barisan Nasional ministers, including Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Salleh Said Keruak, Azalina Othman Said and Nancy Shukri, at the Merdeka Day parade went viral.
Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki slammed Malanjum and Thomas, saying members of the judiciary, particularly judges, should demonstrate more tact.
He said it is not right for the “chief justice and attorney-general to rub shoulders with politicians and high-profile individuals”, as “it courts controversy and erodes the people’s trust in their decisions”. – January 20, 2019.
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Comments
Najib is pretending that he cannot see the difference between that and a CJ dancing at a social function where both members of the juduciary and the legal fraternity were invited, were present, and were dancing as they have traditionally done.
And none of them were wearing Harapan shirts.
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