(Petaling Jaya, Saturday): The DAP has been informed by the office of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamad Nazri Abdul Aziz confirming his attendance on the debate of the year – a re-examination of the 1988 judiciary crisis in the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on Monday 7.30pm September 11.

Datuk Nazri is unique amongst BN leaders as a eloquent and ferocious speaker. Attendance to this historic debate of the year on the state of the independence of the judiciary will be free and open to all. There shall also be a question and answer session to encourage audience participation.

DAP organized the debate following the call by the Malaysian Bar Council Chair Mr Yeo Yang Poh to re-examine the 1988 judiciary crisis, which led to  the sacking of then Lord President Salleh Abas together with two Supreme Court judges Datuk George Seah and the late Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawaanteh,

The intense public interest generated was not limited only to the legal fraternity, reflecting the general concern at the tenuous state of the independence of the judiciary in Malaysia. As one of the pillars in our Constitution upholding not just the rule of law but ensuring separation of powers, the establishment of two tribunals that led to the sacking of three top judges is an epochal event in judicial history,

Whilst critics trace the domination of the Executive over the Judiciary from this crisis, others disagree claiming that the judiciary is still as independent as ever. Whether the rule of law or rule by fiat is ascendant, a public discourse by both opponents and supporters would be beneficial for democratic debate and to distil the truth from these events 18 years ago whether justice was done or that for justice to be finally done a review is required.

DAP believes that this debate held in the spirit of democracy will encourage differences of opinion to be discussed based on logic, reason and of course the law. More importantly it will also allow the public to participate and seek accountability for this momentous event in Malaysian history.

Other lawyers speaking will be Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang, DAP National Chair Karpal Singh, Malaysian Bar Council Chair Yeo Yang Poh, Datuk Param Cumuraswamy, HAKAM President Malik Imtiaz and Tommy Thomas, counsel for former Lord President Tun Salleh Abbas.

(09/09/2006)