PUTRAJAYA: The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on allegations of judicial interference and misconduct is being set-up because Malaysians are demanding it.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said though there were many opinions and views on the move to set up the RCI, it was largely done because Malaysians want it.
"There are many different opinions but largely the public wants a RCI.
"And we are responsive to the public's idea and stand," Dr Mahathir said at his Hari Open House at Seri Perdana today.
The Prime Minister was responding to a recent remark by Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram who said that a RCI was inappropriate as it would violate the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers.
The former Federal Court judge was also reported as saying that a better solution would be for Chief Justice Datuk Tengku Maimun Tuan Man to set up an internal inquiry following consultations with Court of Appeal president Ahmad Maarop, as well as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak David Wong.
Gopal further suggested that the inquiry panel comprises five members, including three retired judges, and be given the mandate to report their findings only to the chief justice.
Dr Mahathir said regardless of what his belief was on the RCI, what was important was the people want it.
"I am entitled to my own opinion but I have to respond to public views,” he said, adding that the RCI on judiciary would start soon.
Previously, Cabinet agreed to form a RCI over allegations of judicial misconduct.
On Feb 14, Court of Appeal judge Datuk Dr Hamid Sultan Abu Backer alleged that there was deceit involving certain top judges and private litigants to cheat the government.
This was contained in an affidavit filed in support of an application by lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo, daughter of the late lawyer Karpal Singh.
Additional reporting by Esther Landau, Teoh Pei Ying and Beatrice Nita Jaya