Reflecting On The Law

A constitutional monarch is a formal head of state but not the functional head of government.

ON April 20, Society Empowerment and Econ­omic Development of Sabah held a seminar in Kota Kinabalu, where I had the privilege of noting that Sabah and Sarawak have a unique position in our Federation and many special rights not available to the 11 peninsula states.

OUR Chief Justice Richard Malanjum will be retiring at the end of this week after 27 years of distinguished service on the Bench.

Advice that the Rome Statute jeopardises the Malay Rulers, Islam and the Malays is frivolous and a product of fertile minds.

I wish to commend Tan Sri Razali Ismail, chairman of the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), and Lawyers for Liberty executive director Latheefa Koya for speaking up against racism, hate speech and malicious misinformation about our supreme Constitution.

IN a rule-of-law society, the judiciary is the cornerstone of the constitutional arch. Its independence, integrity and ability are indispensable to the proper functioning of a legal system.

NEXT Friday will be the 116th anniversary of the birth of this nation’s founding father, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.

The Third Schedule of the Constitution provides for how the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and his deputy are chosen. But the Conference of Rulers also has the overriding discretion to offer the office to whoever is deemed most suitable.

There have lately been violations of the doctrine of ministerial responsibility. Our columnist argues that Malaysia should have a Ministerial Code, similar to the one in England, which sets out the standards of behaviour expected from all ministers.

TWICE in the last six months, this column has pointed out that due to the relatively early retirement age of 66 (plus six months), our superior courts are being deprived of much sterling talent.

There are good reasons for extending the retirement age for judges. This requires a contitutional amendment, which is challenging but not impossible.

EVERY teacher of constitutional law is confronted with some complex questions in class.