CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Chief Justice (CJ) Tan Sri Richard Malanjum and Attorney-General (AG) Tommy Thomas should voluntarily resign from their respective posts.
In saying this, Umno vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob said the public was not questioning an individual's right to dance, but in this case, it was who these individuals are that raised questions.
Ismail Sabri was commenting on a viral video in which Malanjum and Thomas were seen dancing on stage at a gala dinner held in conjunction with the Opening of the Legal Year on Friday.
Thomas and Malanjum were seen dancing to popular 60s rock ‘n roll tune “Let’s Twist Again” by Chubby Checker.
Others seen in the video were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of law Datuk Liew Vui Keong as well as lawyers and activists Datuk S. Ambiga and Siti Kasim.
Ismail Sabri remarked how the video may have created a negative perception on these public figures.
Eventhough judges can make decisions professionally, Ismail Sabri said public perception following the video may give rise to a negative outlook on the judiciary.
That is why, he said people holding such positions should avoid from things that can give off a negative perception.
Citing an example, he claimed that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government itself fell due to negative perception played up by Pakatan Harapan (PH), adding that things that may affect public perception towards the government should not take place.
“People will watch and say, ehh, if it’s like this then we ‘kawtim’. (They may think) if a case is taken to court maybe it will be easily won, or just follow what the AG wants. Yes, these are mere assumptions and perception, and it may not happen that way, but we must remember that even a country can fall based on perception. That is what happened to the previous BN government," Ismail Sabri told reporters after making his campaign rounds for the Cameron Highlands by-election at the Brinchang Market, here, today.
He added that the video involving the CJ, AG and a minister in charge of law was a case of judicial ethics.
Hence, he said, the relevant party should apologise to the people and ensure that such matters do not repeat.
"In the past it is difficult for us to even meet up with a judge for a cup of coffee as they are seen as being exclusive," Ismail Sabri said.
He pointed out that judges were also not seen associating or having any external relationships as it could be seen as having an influence on the decisions they make in court.
"Judges are not angels, judges are human beings who can sometimes be influenced by the environment, friendships, relationships and so on," he said.