THE Judicial Appointments Commission recommended by the Lingam video clip inquiry is indeed laudable. Its objectives will certainly go towards the restoration of confidence in the judiciary, particularly in view of the revelations that surfaced in the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s report.

However, the formation and operation of the Judicial Appointments Commission, whi-ch will require amendments to the Constitution, is something which can take months, if not years to come to fruition.

That the ruling government is without the two-thirds majority to effect an amendment makes us apprehensive of further delay.

Meanwhile, one continues to read reports of the consequences of the shortage of judges in the various high courts. Justice being denied through being delayed appears to be the norm and not the exception.

The judgeless high court in Johor Baru is not an isolated case. The alarming number of young people being held under inordinately lengthy remand is not the only group suffering injustice.

Adding personal reality to the dire situation is my neighbour, whose plight has much to do with my penning this letter.

Her case of dismissal from employment was thrown out by the industrial court in Kuala Lumpur.

Being dissatisfied, she filed for a review of the decision in the high court there.

Almost two years later, she has yet to obtain leave from the high court to proceed with the substantive review.

The backlog in the courts has much to do with this.

If she eventually gets leave to proceed, when the review hearing will commence and end is anybody’s guess.

Her lawyer’s platitude that hers is not the only case facing such a dilemma is little consolation to her.

Meanwhile, she continues to sit at home, unable to obtain suitable employment elsewhere, dreaming of the day justice will be done to her case.

The authorities need to awaken to the need to immediately fire-fight the acute shortage of judges and courtrooms. Avoiding inordinate delays is a crucial part of regaining public confidence.

To wait for the Judicial Appointments Commission to start operating will only compound the backlog of cases.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim should give serious consideration, as a stop-gap measure, to the proposal to appoint judges on a temporary basis to fast-track cases and to fill urgent vacancies.

This will not only help ease the backlog but also not interfere with the work of the commission when it eventually begins operations.

B.K., Ipoh

Source: NST – May 26, 2008