Former AG Slams Justice Chin

Former AG Slams Justice Chin

11 June, 2008

PETALING JAYA: Former Attorney General Abu Talib Othman today slammed High Court Judge Ian H.C. Chin claiming that former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had threatened judges during his premiership.

Abu Talib who is also Human Rights Commissioin (Suhakam) chairman said the judge, “should not talk about this outside the court, his action was inappropriate because his allegation was not related with the cases which he is handling now," Abu Talib told Sin Chew Daily when contacted in Petaling Jaya Wednesday (11 June).

Abu Talib said Chin's action has violated the code of ethics and he urged the High Court Judge to look seriously on this issue.

The former AG saidAbu Talib said it was impossible for former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed "to issue a thinly veiled threat to remove judges by referring to the tribunal that was set up before" at the judges' conference in 1997 as alleged by Chin.

He added Mahathir only expressed his personal views on the judgment by Chin, and his statement might be wrongly interpreted by Ian Chin.

He said he was disappointed with the judge ‘s action when he read the news in the newspaper.

"Since the case mentioned by Ian Chin happened in 1997, therefore I am not sure about the case," he said. (He was the former Attorney General and he retired in October, 1993).

Justice Ian Chin said that former prime minister Mahathir Mohamed had threatened judges. He also said he and selected judges were sent to a boot camp to ensure they got the message.

Justice Datuk Ian Chin, 60, is the most senior of the 48 High Court judges in the country.

Justice Chin said this before hearing an election petition on Monday (9 June) challenging the results of the Sarikei parliamentary seat which was won by a Barisan Nasional candidate by just 51 votes.

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir has refused has declined comments. By LEE MENG FUN/ Sin Chew Daily)