Instead of setting up another Royal Commission to investigate High Court Judge Justice Datuk Ian Chin's revelation, the government should seriously consider establishing a Judiciary Complaints Commission (JCC), in addition to the Judiciary Appointment on the Commission (JAC) already committed.

While expressing concern over the judge's revelation, Gerakan Acting President Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon agreed with the Prime Minister that it is better to move forward. Dr Koh said that it is better to focus on the recommendations of the Royal Commission in respect of the Lingam tapes.

The concept of JCC in addition to JAC was actually proposed by Dr Koh in January this year in a dialogue between Gerakan leaders and the Bar Council. Subsequently, the JCC proposal was included in the Bar Council's proposal to the government.

Dr Koh felt that the proposed JCC would be able to perform a much needed function of receiving, sieving and investigating complaints against judges in an independent and professional manner. Recommendations for actions can then be made to the appropriate authorities.

On the other hand, while criminal threat or attempted bribery to judges can be referred to and dealt with by the police and the ACA under existing laws, the JCC will also enable judges and magistrates to have an avenue of complaint and redress, should there be any interference from the higher-ups in the judiciary hierarchy or even the executive branch of government.

The existence of such a mechanism will also relieve the government of the burden to deal with complaints either way. The JCC together with the JAC will give big boosts to judiciary integrity.

Dr Koh also welcomes and supports Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim's assurance that the Bill to reinstate Article 121 of the Federal Constitution to restore judiciary independence will be tabled in the coming Parliament meeting in late June.

Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon
Acting President PGRM