PETALING JAYA: The Council of Justices of Peace of Selangor fully supports the statement of Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on the power of royal pardon.
Council president Datuk Ng Seing Liong said the Sultan was right in saying that it cannot be exercised arbitrarily or given through any special treatment for the benefit of certain parties.
“They need to understand that the process of pardoning must be carried out by the law and procedure provided under the Constitution and related laws.
“His Majesty said the Federal Constitution has placed the dignity of the judicial institution at a high level as an independent and authoritative judicial body.
Ng said the judiciary is the last bastion that needs to be defended to ensure that the administration of justice can be carried out properly.
“If the law is not implemented consistently and fairly, justice will not be achieved, because the philosophy behind the enactment of the law has been tarnished.
Ng added that the council hoped that the people could respect the independence of the judiciary.
On Sept 13, the Sultan of Selangor said that the rule of law and judicial independence must be always respected as they form the principle and axis of the constitutional monarchy in the country.
“The Federal Constitution has placed the dignity of the judicial institution at a high level as an independent and authoritative body.”
Sultan Sharafuddin also felt that pardons must not be arbitrarily given and must be done in line with the laws as stated in the Constitution.
His Highness said his comments were made following recent developments related to the administration of the justice system in the country.
Judicial independence, he said, was a definition of judges handling a case by interpreting the law based on facts and evidence, without fear or favour, and free from unwanted interference.
