Fool of Integrity...

And subheaded: He just doesn't know what LOGICAL THINKING is all about.

I know mGf 17-year-old johnleemk (surf to -- and thats a court order! infernalramblings.com please) can provide better rationales or justification when debating with Desi, even when we don't sit atop the half-past-six cabinet...

As I got back from the wolfish city of Koala Lumpuh after a hectic three days navigating through the mad rush that defines the capital city, Desi heaved a sigh of relief on arriving at the Bus terminus called TerminalOne in Seremban. With some time to kill before a friend came to pick me up (Yes, small town people always telephone mates on arrival home to "pick them up", and here "picking up" has not the red-light district connotations of Chow Kit Road and Jalan Alor, okay!

So I flipped through the NST, and this item on page 20 caught my eye (Yes, I closed one eye whenever I browse through MSM as then one is focused.. You try it, you are likely to be diverted to a second item if you open both eyes!) The headline now, some 12 hours later than most folks reading the print version at BF -- reproduced from the online edition -- reads:



NST Online » Local News
2007/12/07

Zaki a person of integrity, says Nazri




KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Zaki Azmi's role in Umno will not influence his performance in his latest position as the Court of Appeal president.

In defending Zaki’s appointment, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said, except for being Umno’s Disciplinary (Technical) Committee chairman and Selection Committee secretary, the 62-year-old did not hold any other post in the party.

“He’s not an MP, assemblyman, division or even a branch head.

“The only reason we roped him in was due to his past performance and his character, which is of a person of integrity,” he said, adding that among the legal fraternity, Zaki is known as a “straight fellow".

He said Zaki, the son of former Lord President Tun Azmi Mohamed, should not be punished over his role in Umno.

The Bar Council had expressed surprise over the appointment of Zaki as it felt there were other suitable candidates in terms of seniority and service in the judiciary.

The council was also concerned over his involvement in Umno, as well as his short stint in the government service.

Three months ago, Zaki became the first lawyer to be directly appointed to the Federal Court.

Regarding Zaki’s fast-track appointment, Nazri did not think there was anything wrong with the matter.

“There is no law againstthe fast-track appointment of Zaki. We are not doing something unconstitutional or illegal,” he said at parliment yesterday.

Nazri also shot down a proposal by Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat), who had suggested that a select committee on the judiciary be set up to ensure the integrity of judicial candidates before they were appointed or promoted.

“I don’t agree with the proposal as the three branches of the government — legislative, executive and judiciary — must be independent.

“How can the appointment of judges be discussed in a committee? No way.”

He said if such committees were set up, judges would have to be very nice towards MPs as their appointments and promotions would be heavily dependent on them.

“There will be undue influence, so definitely, no.

“The judiciary must not only be free from the executive, but also free from outside influences in order to function properly.”

PIC Caption:
Tan Sri Zaki Azmi is known as a ‘straight fellow’ in the legal fraternity
Pic comment by Desi: Yeah, so also Desi is a 'straight" fellow, along wit' many lawyers and judges. But some judges and lawyers have mastered the art of walking like a crab.Desi's still trying...

DESIDERATA: this fellow named Nazri is an expert in what I term DIVERTING from the core points in contention.

Let me dissect as a vet would a guinea pig, cat or a dog.

"Tan Sri Zaki Azmi's role in Umno will not influence his performance in his latest position as the Court of Appeal president" -- an assurance given on the second highest judicial officer by another party -- that is the Minister in PM's Dept in charge of legal affairs Nazri -- coming with vested interests of his political affiliation, UMNO, surely?

For once this MSM got it "correct, correct, correct!" -- opening secnd para with "In defending Zaki’s appointment...", with the word "defending" implying there is indeed some question mark over the appointment. "Syabas, Copy Editor on duty, I hope you haven't received any call from the guy, nyet?" from YL Chong, the journalist-in-me.

So what if this was 100% correct that "He’s not an MP, assemblyman, division or even a branch head" COMPARED WITH THE fact that he (Zaki) had indeed served at positions close to the top UMNO echelon's sphere of influence as "...Umno’s Disciplinary (Technical) Committee chairman and Selection Committee secretary,..."

Does Nazri truly expect us ordinary Malaysians, the MAJORITY who don't hold UMNO membership cards, to believe that "Zaki can be 100% free agent" as the second ranked judicial officer with no "beholdenism" to UMNO that must surely have played a role in fast-tracking his appointment, and now a quick promotion, into the judiciary inner hub of power? ALL THESE HAPPENING AT LIGHTNING SPEED -- two quick fell swoops in a period less than four months!

I am stopping now with just reprising the Bar Council's stance BEFORE I PUKE:

"The Bar Council had expressed surprise over the appointment of Zaki as it felt there were other suitable candidates in terms of seniority and service in the judiciary.

The council was also concerned over his involvement in Umno, as well as his short stint in the government service."

PS: One more hop-step-n-jump TOWARDS THE ABYSS?
Dear EseemedReaders and fellow Malaysians, do you plan to just sit there and sigh? ***Or do something about it!

Note the preceding LAST LINE*** did not end with a question mark. It's Desi's courtly order -- and who says I cannot sit as a court judge? It is just that I had not bothered to apply for UMNO mebership!