Chamber backs Malanjum for top judge
Published on: Thursday, July 05, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: The Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sabah (KCCI) fully supported the proposal for Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Richard Malanjum (pic), to be appointed the Chief Justice of Malaysia.Its President Datuk Bonipasius Bianis said if appointed, Malanjum, who has been the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak since July 2006, would be the first native from Sabah and Sarawak to hold the post of Chief Justice of Malaysia.This would give due recognition to Sabah, Sarawak and the Federation of Malaya as equal partners, said Bonipasius in a statement, Wednesday.
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"KCCI feels that based on his seniority, Malanjum is most qualified to hold the post. He is the first native of Sabah to be the High Court Judge, Judge of the Court of Appeal as well as the Judge of the Federal Court. At age 52, he was the youngest to be appointed as Federal Court Judge. "Malanjum, with more than 25 years experience, is one of the most, if not the most, senior judge in Malaysia," said Bonipasius."Throughout his long and illustrious tenure, Malanjum has consistently exhibited all the traits and diligence of a dedicated judge, upholding the principles of law, justice, and equity.
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"He was responsible for introducing the electronic filing system in Sabah and Sarawak courts."Since then, efficiency in the filing of required documents to the courts have been greatly improved; and such a boon to our legal system would almost certainly not be possible without Malanjum's support," said Bonipasius.
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"It is also no secret that Malanjum has championed the protection of native rights."He does not merely give lip-service to such a righteous cause. He has gone above and beyond in supporting the cause."Natives in the interior, mainly due to logistical difficulties, have long been deprived of access to justice and legal services."Recognising such an injustice and deprivation should not stand, Malanjum introduced and actively organised and participated in the mobile court, whereby court officials and practising lawyers would travel through treacherous terrain to reach the natives to administer justice and provide free legal services such as late registration of birth certificates."He has also taken the initiative to look into revamping the Native Court system with the view of improving the current system to be at par with the civil courts in accordance with the existing laws.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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