Anonymous: Anwar Ibrahim's appeal was dismissed by Court of Appeal judge Abdul Malik Ishak solely because the appeal documents were not in Bahasa, but Malik's own judgment for this ruling was written in English.
Anwar appealed against this ruling to nullify Malik's judgment because it was not in Bahasa, but the Federal Court ruled today that Malik's judgment can be in Bahasa because the judges have wide discretions to do this.
You mean the judges are not bound by the National Language Act? They can speak and use English or Bahasa but we, the rakyat, must use only Bahasa? How to win cases against the ruling elites in Malaysia courts? Bar Council, shame on you for not speaking up.
P Dev Anand Pillai: First the judiciary said that Anwar's appeal was filed in English so it was not valid as it must be in Bahasa Malaysia. Then the judgment for that appeal was given in English. Now it doesn't matter whether it was in English or BM, the courts have the final discretion.
First they talked about the supremacy of BM in the federal constitution, but they forget that they call themselves United Malays National Organisation (Umno).
Well, it will not be a surprise if Utusan Malaysia does not shout and rant on this issue although they are the saviours of our national language. They will have to keep mum on this as it is their very own Malay judges who prefer to write in English instead of Malay.
The judiciary is beyond redemption - only a full-scale rebellion by the masses will put an end to this rot. But knowing our dumb electorate, they will continue to vote for these people again and again. Therefore, the dumb get dumber.
Tailek: Anwar Ibrahim cases are setting all sorts of new judicial precedents for all the wrong reasons. When the opposition wants to apply these same precedents to aid their case, the court shoots it down.
There is no level-playing field in the court as far as Anwar or Pakatan Rakyat is concerned. I think many Malaysians feel that our justice system has deteriorated to the point of no return.
Phra Ong Chao: Anwar's lawyers file papers in English - 'tak boleh'. Judges who ruled that English 'tak boleh' wrote the judgment in English - 'boleh, pula'. Conclusion: Malaysia really 'boleh'.
Ranjit Singh: The cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions relates to facts and evidence, not the language. Man-made law is of no substance when it does not serve judicially the cause of action for human beings.
I think these days, even I can be a judge when you have Umno judges with such convoluted minds that only serve their own interests beyond what is just and fair, as their political needs will protect them against their own consciousness.
Sarajun Hoda: This is another mother of all judgments. What kind of justice is this? We are becoming a laughing stock in the eyes of the rest of the world, yet we are complaining that Malaysia's reputation is going down the drain by blaming Anwar for 'buat malu kita di persada dunia'?
Gandhi: The more injustice Anwar gets from the court, the more popular he becomes. Sympathy is growing as the odds are deliberately stacked against him. Divine intervention is the only hope for all these doings.
Md Imraz Muhd Ikhbal: The day when court judgments defy every precept of logic, when the judiciary adheres no longer to the constitution but to the political will of the ruling elites; when the law miserably fails to uphold justice; that is the day when a nation plunges into the depths of deplorability.
We see this happening in many parts of the world and witness how the people suffer extreme misery. Since childhood, never once did it cross my mind that it could ever happen to my beloved country. But I guess accepting this reality no matter how shocking and disgusting is part of growing up.
Anonymous2: So let me get this straight:
1) Anwar's preliminary objection was dismissed because it was in English.
2) All court documents shall be in the national language.
3) However, the court may in its own motion use the English language in the 'interest of justice'.
4) Therefore, the judgment can be in English.
Conclusion? This is total bullshit. And Malaysiakini can print that!
Ruben: The outcomes of the appeal shows very clearly the biasness of the judiciary, be it in this case or in the sodomy case. We know the sentiments of the rakyat and should not let that go unnoticed.
One way of showing our extreme frustration and support for change is to set up a 'Save Anwar from an Unjust Judiciary' fund that we can contribute to pay whatever costs of damages incurred/legal costs, etc.
There were millions of Malaysians who voted against BN in the last general elections. There will be millions who can voice their support by contributing just a token amount to this fund.
Chandran Sukumaran: Please tell me how I could contribute RM100 towards the fine. I am a pensioner and I am fed up with the judiciary. I hope they won't trace me and perhaps arrest me. I want true justice in Malaysia. What's happening to this country that I love?
Cascara: This is a case of 'Heads I win, tails you lose'. Justice, Malaysian-style.
