MACC asked to probe ex-judge

Bar Council goes to graft-busters after discussing matter with Chief Justice

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti- Corruption Commission (MACC) has been asked to investigate a recently retired judge.

“A complaint was lodged with the Bar Council after the judge retired and we went to see Chief Justice Tun Arifin (Zakaria) about it,” said council chairman Lim Chee Wee.

“We then went to MACC to investigate the allegation,” he told The Star yesterday.

He was explaining his comment on hoping to “address one serious hint” of corruption soon during his speech at the Opening of the Legal Year on Saturday.

Lim refused to confirm or name the former judge but admitted that the person was a recently retired judge of the Court of Appeal and the allegation involved the then judge’s decision in a case.

During his speech, Lim had said: “On the part of the Bar, we will approach and work with MACC whenever there is any serious hint of corruption involving a member of the Bar or the Bench. We hope to at least address one serious hint soon, and we acknowledge the MACC’s cooperation with us on this matter.”

Lim, who did not know if any party had filed a police report alleging corruption, said: “Both the CJ and I have discussed and agree that if there is even a hint of corruption, we must involve the MACC.”

He said that an asset declaration by judges to the MACC was not enough.

“MACC must conduct a verification of the data, for example of the judges’ declared ownership of houses, cars and shares, and they must also conduct a trawl for undeclared assets,” he said.

Asked about those held in the names of family members, Lim said: “I have not spoken to the CJ about this but it is my view that family members must also declare their assets.

“There are too many allegations abounding and this is one way to ensure a corrupt judge will be caught.”