MACC and Bar Council congratulate top three judges

PETALING JAYA: More congratulatory messages are pouring in for the newly-appointed top three judges of the country, with the latest from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Bar Council.

The judges are Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif, Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Ma­­ki­­nudin and Tan Sri Ahmad Maarop who are now the Chief Justice, Court of Appeal president and Chief Judge of Malaya respectively.

MACC’s chief commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad said he was confident that Md Raus will spearhead the judiciary to greater heights and ensure that everyone under him is free from corrupt practices.

He said that as the Chief Justice, Md Raus has been entrusted to lead the judiciary with full integrity and without fear or favour.

He hoped the appointments would strengthen the co-operation between MACC and the judiciary in the quest to fight corruption, he said in a statement.

Newly-elected Bar president George Varughese also congratulated the judges.

“The new office bearers of the judiciary can count on the Bar to do our utmost to defend the independence of the judiciary, uphold the rule of law and cause of justice, and act without fear or favour in discharging our duties.

“The Malaysian Bar further pledges to continue to foster our constructive and productive working relationship with the judiciary,” he said.

Varughese said that under the stewardship of immediate past Chief Jus­­tice Tun Arifin Zakaria, who re­­tired on Friday, the judiciary and the Bar Council had further strengthened the good professional relationship that was enjoyed over the years.

“The cooperation and support that Tun Arifin extended to us are greatly appreciated. The cordial and positive working relationship between the Bench and the Bar has ensured the speedy resolution of issues affecting the administration of justice and, in particular, lawyers in courts,” he said.