THERE is no need for Court of Appeal judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer to file a police report in order to receive special protection following his affidavit alleging judicial misconduct, said his lawyer today.

Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla said Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was wrong in demanding the judge to lodge a police report to get any protection.

“Hamid is not a retired judge. He is still a Court of Appeal judge, and has made a statutory declaration in the form of the affidavit.

“He has no interest in any political body nor has he any personal interest in this matter.

“Therefore, it is wrong to ask Hamid to lodge a police report in order to be given protection,” Haniff told The Malaysian Insight.

Muhyiddin yesterday said the government has yet to decide on offering Hamid any special protection over his revelations that has put the judiciary in a bad light.

He had advised Hamid to lodge a report to the authorities to seek protection.

“I think there is a need for the report to be filed by him, to be actually pursued by police, other agencies involved, the MACC… or whatever it is, I don’t know.

“And, we will see how important and serious it is, and whether there is some necessity to give some form of protection.

“At this moment, I don’t think I can answer,” said Muhyiddin.

Haniff, however, said the government should consider providing security for judges in the country, adding that many would dare to speak up if they are protected. 

“This matter should be considered by the government. As for now, there are no bodyguards for them and I feel that this has hindered them from speaking up.

“Many would step forward if the necessary protection is given,” he said. 

Last week, Hamid alleged in his affidavit that members of the judiciary conspired to defraud the government.

The affidavit sighted by The Malaysian Insight was in support of lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo’s application to declare that the chief justice failed to defend the integrity and credibility of the judiciary over two alleged incidences of judicial interference.

Hamid claimed certain top judges from the apex court – the Federal Court – have been aiding private parties in defrauding the government.

He also claimed other instances of top judges working in favour of the former government. 

Hamid, who is still a sitting judge, in his affidavit repeatedly stressed the need for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to look into the matter.

This morning the judge refused to give his statement to MACC, saying that he would speak only to a special task force or an RCI on the judiciary. – February 18, 2019.