> 14 Judicial Commissioners sworn in
Fourteen new judicial commissioners took their oath of office before Chief Justice Tan Sri Zaki Azmi at the Palace of Justice today.
Eight of them are judicial staff, namely Industrial Court president Datuk Umi Kalthum Abdul Majid, 51, Industrial Court chairman Datin Yeoh Wee Siam, 55, chief registrar of the Federal Court Datuk Halijah Abbas, 51, Appeal Court registrar Datin Zabariah Mohd Yusof, 49, registrar of the High Court of Malaya Tarmizi Abd. Rahman, 52, registrar of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak Rhodzariah Bujang, 47, and Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu Sessions Court judges Akhtar Tahir, 49, and Ravinthran N. Paramaguru, 46.
Three are senior officers of the Attorney-General's Chambers — Solicitor-General Datuk Zaleha Yusof, parliamentary draftsman Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin, 51, and Commissioner of Law Revision and Law Reform Datuk Mary Lim Thiam Suan, 51.
The others are director-general of the Legal Aid Bureau Dr Hassan Ab. Rahman, 54, and Kamardin Hashim, 53, and Yaacob Md Sam, 50, both chairmen of the Advisory Board in the Prime Minister's Department.
The appointments take effect on Jan 5.
Present were Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff, Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Ariffin Zakaria and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum.
Zaki, in his speech, reminded them to mind their conduct as judges and to be careful in their interaction with society.
"As a judge, you are entrusted with the highest responsibility and are expected to be thoroughly honest. You are expected to be whiter than white. Every individual, regardless of class, colour or creed, must be given the fairest treatment. Every party to every case heard by you will expect to leave your court feeling that his case has been properly considered.
"Be careful with whom you associate. You may continue with your friends but if you suspect that anyone of them is taking advantage of your position, you must be open with them. There are many who will try to take advantage of their association with you," he said.
Zaki said that in line with the Judges Code of Ethics and the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, which is pending in Parliament, he and the Appeal Court president and chief judges would not hesitate to take stern action against dishonest judges.
"Your future appointment as judges and how soon that would be will depend on how good you are. We will not hesitate in delaying, or even not confirming you to the position of judges if you are not up to standard," he said - Bernama.
