Retired cop sues govt over judicial reforms

(NST) – A retired policeman is suing the Federal Government for allegedly making unconstitutional amendments to the Constitution.

Robert Linggi, 64, claimed the amendments with regard to the judiciary system were made without the consent of the Yang Dipertuas Negeri of Sabah and Sarawak.

He sought to declare the amendments unconstitutional, null and void.

The suit was filed by Linggi's counsel Messrs Chau and Thien at the High Court here on Friday. It named the Federal Government through the attorney-general as the defendant.

The three amendments cited by Linggi were the removal of judicial power from the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak in 1988, the appointment of judicial commissioners in 1994 and formation of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) last year.

All three amendments were allegedly made without "the concurrences of the Yang Dipertua Negeri of each of the states of Sabah and Sarawak", which contravened Article 161E (2)(b) of the Constitution.

Linggi, of Keningau, also contended that empowering the prime minister to make modifications to the JAC Act 2008 violated Article 44 of the Constitution, which vests the legislature authority of the Federation of Malaysia in the Parliament.