‘Stop politicising CJ’s appointment’

Shafie slams Opposition for playing race card

KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal slammed the Opposition for playing the race and religion card on the appointment of Tan Sri Richard Malanjum as Chief Justice of Malaysia.

“Can’t a Malaysian from Sabah be appointed to the position of Chief Justice based on meritocracy?” he asked, in reference to certain groups in the peninsula who questioned the appointment of the first East Malaysian native to head the post.

He said Umno and PAS were politicising the appointment by using race and religion while ignoring the fact that Malanjum was a Malaysian from Sabah who was found to be capable of carrying out his duties in the judiciary.

“It is his credentials and contributions to the legal fraternity that make him an appropriate choice. His appointment is a manifestation of meritocracy in Malaysia,” Shafie said.

He said Sabah was deeply honoured by the appointment and to have one of its own holding the highest judicial post in the country.

He said the state government deeply appreciated the Conference of Rulers’ nod on Prime

It is his credentials and contributions to the legal fraternity that make him an appropriate choice. Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal

Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to appoint Malanjum as CJ.

“His vast experience spans almost 40 years and his contributions are notable.

“He has helped hundreds of villagers obtain the necessary documents by way of dispatching mobile courts to the remotest parts of Sabah and successfully introduced the e-filing system in the East Malaysian courts,” Shafie added.

He said the state government believed that the appointment of the new CJ would further expedite the delivery of justice for all Malaysians.