PUTRAJAYA will set up a royal commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of judicial impropriety although it has not decided how far back to go, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

“We have not decided on how far back we are going to look into the allegations. We will determine the terms of reference of the RCI later,” he said after visiting the Defence Ministry in Jalan Padang Tembak, Kuala Lumpur, this morning.

The call to set up an RCI comes following revelations from Court of Appeal judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer alleged in an affidavit that there was widespread corruption and cronyism in the judiciary.

Hamid said there was widespread interference and detailed a scam involving politicians, the private sector and judges to swindle public funds.

Civil society groups and lawyers also said the RCI will vindicate judges who carry out their duties with integrity. 

Hamid’s affidavit was filed 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 incidents of judicial interference.

Following the judge’s revelation, the Malaysian Bar added its support for the formation of an RCI. – February 21, 2019.