by CSO PLATFORM FOR REFORM STEERING COMMITTEE

THE CSO Platform for Reform commends the Malaysian judiciary for upholding its sacred duties as an integral pillar of the state by dispensing its duties well and reasonably within the ambit of the law and the precepts of justice as a court ought to be doing. 

High-profile cases bring attention to the whole nation and also mount additional political pressure, as what we saw in the “legal somersaults” tried by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak’s lawyers. 

The bench conducted itself in a professional manner despite the crafty tactics by the senior lawyers, which were an abuse of the court process.  Kudos to the Chief Justice (CJ) Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and the bench for not wavering despite the unscrupulous delay tactics, attempts to recuse the CJ and threats to her life.

While the unanimous verdict restores confidence in our judiciary, the CSO Platform for Reform calls for more intensive work on institutional reforms to ensure the independent institutions are protected and enabled to function fully without any encumbrance. 

As a coalition of more than 100 civil society members, we see this initiative as crucial. 

It is indeed a day of victory for the civil society organisations and everyone in Malaysia who fought for justice, freedom of speech and independence of the judiciary. 

The people have won.

The CSO Platform for Reform is a coalition of more than 100 members of the civil society working on institutional reforms. The co-secretariats are Pusat Komas and Suaram.