I’m just trying to picture the storm in the papers tomorrow. It appears that, according to Jeff Ooi, the conference of rulers have rejected the proposal to extend Ahmad Fairuz’s tenure as Chief Justice.
Meanwhile, anticipating a possible turn of fortunes despite the public show of outrage in the wake of the Lingam tape, Malaysiakini’s reporting that lawyers may take the extra step and boycott the judiciary.
Phew!
I must say I was pretty sceptical about making such a public circus out of the Lingam tape, especially when it was released via an opposition party, for reasons I’ve blogged about before. I was sceptical about anything ever coming out of the release of the tape - mostly because I distrust the government when it comes to taking challenges to its power lightly.
I imagine Nazri Aziz, Badawi and his coterie of advisors are now closeted somewhere in Putrajaya, planning their response. I expect the response to be long, drawn out and harsh.
Harsh, especially now that the conference of rulers have decided to actively test the boundaries put in place by Mahathir. I can only pray that our rulers fare well, because I think they’ve forced a confrontation.
Chief Justice isn’t small potatoes, and they’ve put the position out of reach of a key BN appointee - one with a history of enjoying somebody’s patronage, if the Lingam video can be believed. Naturally, this loss of control either precipitates a general reform of the judiciary or a total reconfiguration of the same in BN’s favour.
The latter means a total clampdown on dissent in the Bar Council (who have thrown their hats in the ring) and on the powers/duties of the rulers conferred upon them by the Federal Constitution. I can’t think beyond these consequences for the moment. But one thing’s for sure: the ball’s in BN’s court, now.