‘CEP has the right to call up anybody’

TOKYO: The Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) has not overstepped its boundaries by summoning two senior judges because it has the right to call up anyone, said the Prime Minister.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the council had indicated to the two judges – Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif and Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin – that it would be better if they resigned.

“Otherwise, the Government may take action to remove them because we believe that the extension of their office as senior judges was not right,” he said, adding that the opinion was also shared by the Malaysian Bar and prominent lawyers.

“This has not been done before. Extending their service is denying other judges of promotion,” he told the Malaysian press here.

Legal experts recently raised concerns following news of the meeting between the CEP and the two judg- es, saying that it was incompatible with the doctrine of separation of powers and unacceptable.

They also said any removal should be in accordance with the rule of law.

“They have the right to talk to people.

“If the council cannot talk or suggest to people on what is good for them, then the CEP may as well be disbanded,” he said.

On the Government’s ambition for a new national car project, Dr Mahathir said the move could serve as a catalyst for local engineers.

He claimed that many had to close their operations because they could not supply parts according to the demands of new Proton owners or management.

“But all over the world, lots of companies are now outsourcing the manufacturing of parts.

“We can produce parts for branded cars for the export market and earn foreign exchange,” he said.