Some say that the power of the King to grant a royal pardon is ‘absolute,’; that ‘no one can question it’. Is this correct?
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Areas Of Practice , Blog , Constitutional Law , English , Government , Home Featured Articles , Politics
Why do Malaysian Ministers refuse to go on leave, or better still, resign, when their character in public office is called into question?
Ministers who suffer even a whiff of impropriety should immediately (1) make a public statement explaining the circumstances of the allegations against them; (2) allow space for enforcement agencies and Parliamentary Committees to do their investigation; and (3) go on leave.
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Areas Of Practice , Blog , Constitutional Law , English , Government , Home Featured Articles , Politics
Should the Anwar Government implement Corruption Amnesty?
Corruption is enmeshed throughout the Government. It cannot be ripped out without damaging the nation. Can kleptocrats be allowed to return what they stole, and let off with a minor punishment? Could only the recalcitrant and the greedy be subjected to naming, shaming? Should their family and friends, who helped in corruption, be punished?
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Has ex-PM Najib lost his Parliamentary Seat?
Was Art Harun, the Speaker, right, when he said, Najib could continue to sit as an MP, pending the King's decision over Najib's application for a royal pardon?
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From 09 May, 2018 to the last day of the year, a period spanning 236 days, much has happened - and not happened. The nation is poised between Darkness and Light, divided by a narrow threshold. As we step into 2019, would we plunge into the abyss, or emerge upon a sun-dappled glade? Isn't that the question?
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Blog , Constitutional Law , English , Government , Politics
Will Corruption Amnesty Work? [Part-2: Proposals]
This is Part 2 of the article entitled, ‘Will Corruption Amnesty Work?’ You’ll find part 1 here. We saw, in Part-1, how if we sack every corrupt person, we’d lose a substantial number of people in enforcement agencies, local governments, courts, and the Government. This is because corruption in Malaysia is deep-seated. So what? Corruption and State Capture Corruptions infects and emaciates a nation, its institutions and its people. It kills a just and efficient ...
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Blog , Constitutional Law , English , Government , Politics
Will corruption amnesty work? [Part-1: Analysing the Problem]
Do you think corruption amnesty will work in Malaysia? Is it the right way to tackle endemic corruption? Analyse the problem. A question for your conscience Corruption is the abuse of public office for private gain – both pecuniary and otherwise. What if we gave every corrupt person a chance to come clean within 6 months? Only if they don’t admit their crime should we put them – and those who enjoyed the fruits of their ...
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Blog , Constitutional Law , English , Government , Home Featured Articles , Politics
Could we eliminate electoral fraud by improving election laws?
Could we eliminate electoral fraud by improving election laws? An election petition is a difficult thing. The law has ring-fenced it with several impenetrable technical rules. Combating electoral corruption under the current, antiquated laws is impossible. After the results of the 13th General elections results were announced on 5 March 2013, I was asked, with a dozen others, to file election petitions for 22 constituencies in Perak. The petitions alleged that the winners ...
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What happens when judges, bending like reeds in the wind, carry out the biddings of their political masters? Something extraordinary has to be done. Corrupt judges, past and present, ought to be publicly impeached. Can it be done? How?
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A recent spate of social media messages argue that the former prime minister Najib enjoys absolute immunity from criminal sanction. The messages refer to an article by Mr Charles Hector, entitled: ‘Najib – Cannot be charged for crimes as a public servant until law is changed?’ Now, did Charles say the former PM was immune from any criminal prosecution? In 2016, Tun Mahathir sued Najib. Mahathir alleged that there had been ...
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