Malaysia - Attacks on Justice 2005 - Malaysia

The Malaysian government frequently asserts that the judiciary is free from external control, pressure or influence. However, contrary to this statement, the judiciary appears to be plagued with a serious and ongoing credibility crisis. Since the removal of the Lord President of the Federal ("Supreme" since 1985) Court of Malaysia, Tun Mohamed Salleh Abbas, in 1988, the judiciary's image has suffered considerably and has been struggling to live up to the doctrine of the separation of powers and to function as an independent pillar of a democracy. This situation has been aggravated by a series of high-profile political trials over the years, most recently the controversy-ridden Anwar Ibrahim corruption and sodomy cases. The appointment and promotion of judges continues to lack accountability and transparency. In August 2004, the Malaysian judiciary released its first annual public 'report card', a self-assessment exercise aimed at demonstrating the judiciary's greater transparency. This initiative, although welcomed as a positive development, has done little to meet the requests of the public. Legal amendments meant to combat terrorism have put at risk effective due process and fair trial rights. In the absence of true judicial independence, legislators in Malaysia are free to draft laws that run contrary to the spirit of the country's Federal Constitution.

Malaysia - ICJ Welcomes Ruling in Anwar Appeal

The International Commission of Jurists welcomed Malaysia's highest court ruling yesterday overturning former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy conviction and sentence of nine years imprisonment and setting him free.

Malaysia - No More Delays in Anwar Appeal

The ICJ urged the Malaysian Federal Court today to deliver its judgment expeditiously in the appeal of Anwar Ibrahim, the former deputy prime minister who is in jail on politically motivated charges of corruption and sodomy.

Malaysia - In Final Appeal, Anwar Must Get Fair Hearing

ICJ, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International urged Malaysia's highest court to provide a fair hearing on 10 May for the former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, who has been in jail since 1998 on politically motivated charges of corruption and sodomy.

Malaysia - UK Lawyers to Honor Dato' Param Cumaraswamy

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) congratulates Dato' Param Cumaraswamy, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, who will become an honorary member of the Law Society of England and Wales at a ceremony on 30 September in London.

Malaysia - Report of Criminal Proceedings against P. Uthayakumar before Sepang Magistrate's Court on 8 April 2003

In a report released today on the trial of a Malaysian human rights lawyer representing the family of a youth who died in police custody, the International Commission of Jurists' Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (ICJ/CIJL) finds that the aim of the prosecution was to intimidate and harass him in his work as a lawyer.

Malaysia - ICJ Report Condemns Charges Against Lawyer

In a report released today on the trial of a Malaysian human rights lawyer representing the family of a youth who died in police custody, the International Commission of Jurist's Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (ICJ/CIJL) finds that the aim of the prosecution was to intimidate and harass him in his work as a lawyer.

Malaysia - Attacks on Justice 2002 - Malaysia

The Government of Malaysia continued its repression of political opponents and further restricted freedom of expression, assembly and association. Detentions under the Internal Security Act (ISA) continue. However, a number of developments indicate that there has been a positive change towards a more independent judiciary. The Federal Court quashed the sentence of Anwar Ibrahim's defence lawyer Zainur Encik Zakaria; a judge criticised the ISA and released two detainees; the High Court struck down one of the suits against the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Param Cumaraswamy, and the plaintiffs withdrew the remaining suits. The government-appointed National Human Right's Commission called for a wide review of Malaysia's strict laws on freedom of assembly and expression; and Justice Muhammad Kamil Awang defied a "telephoned directive" from his superior and annulled a victory for the Prime Minister's ruling coalition in a state assembly election.

Malaysia - Attacks on Justice 2000 - Malaysia

The Malaysian judiciary, although it generally acts independently, was widely seen to be complicit in political prosecutions by the government, particularly in the trial of former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim. There were continuing tense relations between the judiciary and the legal profession and there were sustained attacks on the independence of the legal profession by the government. The government instituted sedition proceedings against Karpal Singh, Anwar Ibrahim's defence lawyer, for statements he made in court in the defence of his client. Malaysia continues to act in defiance of the International Court of Justice, by not granting the Special Rapporteur for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers immunity from prosecution.

Malaysia - ICJ Mourns the Passing Away of Tun Mohamed Suffian Hashim

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) today expressed its heartfelt condolences at the passing away yesterday of one of its most distinguished honorary members, Tun Mohamed Suffian Hashim at the age of 82 and after a long illness.

Malaysia - The IBA and the CIJL Denounce Legal Persecution of Lawyer in Malaysia

The International Bar Association (IBA) and the Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL) of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) view with grave concern the Malaysian Court of Appeal's judgement dismissing lawyer, Zainur Zakaria's, appeal against a three-month jail sentence for «contempt of court». Mr Zakaria has been granted bail pending appeal to the Federal Court.

Malaysia - ICJ Condemns Anwar Verdict

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) strongly condemns the sentencing by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur of former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his adopted brother Sukma Darmawan to nine years and six years of imprisonment respectively for alleged sodomy.

Malaysia - ICJ Welcomes Decision to Uphold Immunity of UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers

Today, the Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL) of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) welcomed the decision made by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 7 July 2000, to strike out one of the four defamation suits brought against United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Dato' Param Cumaraswamy.

Malaysia - International Legal Community Denounces Government Interference in the Rule of Law in Malaysia

Justice in Jeopardy: Malaysia in 2000, which concludes that the extremely powerful Executive in Malaysia has not acted with due regard for the essential elements of a free and democratic society based on the rule of law, is released today as a joint report of the International Bar Association, the Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers of the International Commission of Jurists, the Commonwealth Lawyers' Association and the Union internationale des avocats.

Malaysia - CIJL to Send Prominent Trial Observer to Dato' Param Cumaraswamy's Appeal

The Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL) will send an observer to the hearing of the appeal of Date' Param Cumaraswamy concerning the defamation action against him. The appeal is to be heard tomorrow, 20 August 1997. Justice P.N. Bhagwati, former Chief Justice of India, former President of the World Congress on Human Rights and currently Chairman of the Advisory Board of the CIJL and member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee will attend the hearing tomorrow to observe the proceedings.