LFL: We have proof of further interference with judiciary

Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) has backed Court of Appeal judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer's call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the judiciary.

LFL adviser N Surendran said that they, too, have evidence of alleged judicial interference by a judge who they believe is the same one identified by Hamid as 'ARLC'.

"(We have) collected a range of evidence of interference with subordinate court judges in politically sensitive matters.

"This includes an incident where a top judge interfered with a high-profile 'political' prosecution at the Shah Alam Sessions Court during BN rule.

"We believe this top judge may be the same ARLC referred to by Justice Hamid Sultan. We are prepared to provide all information to an RCI," Surendran said in a statement today.

In his affidavit yesterday, Hamid claimed that 'ARLC' interfered in a majority decision which was initially to acquit the late lawyer and DAP veteran Karpal Singh of his charge under the Sedition Act.

Surendran said the identity of this 'ARLC' must be established by an RCI and the individual must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law if found guilty.

He added that Hamid's revelations were proof of BN's long-term interference with the judiciary.

"The interference was in favour of the then BN government and its leaders, and to the detriment of opponents of the BN and the government.

"This disclosure cannot be taken lightly as it comes from a sitting judge of the Court of Appeal.

"It must be taken as strong evidence of serious misconduct and wrongdoing in the highest levels of our judiciary, at the behest of the BN regime," he said.

Hamid has said he would reveal more in an RCI, but expressed regret that Chief Justice Richard Malanjum is not seeking one.

His affidavit was filed in support of lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo's application to declare that the chief justice had failed to defend the integrity and credibility of the judiciary over two alleged incidents of judicial interference.

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