Kuala Lampur, June 28 -- Make no mistake that Malaysia has a duty to uphold the independence of the judiciary. It is not just that-it must guarantee such independence as enshrined in its Constitution and/or the law of the country.

It is the duty of the government and other institutions to respect and observe the independence of the judiciary.

The above is the first principle of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary adopted by the Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders held at Milan from August 26 to September 6, 1985 and endorsed by General Assembly resolutions 40/32 of November 29,1985 and 40/146 of December 13, 1985.

This year is the 40th anniversar...