Apologise, Karpal urges Dr M in open letter

PETALING JAYA: Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh has asked former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad whether he would be prepared to tender an unqualified and unconditional apology to former judges Tun Salleh Abas, Datuk George Seah and the late Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawanteh. 

In an open letter to Dr Mahathir, Karpal Singh said, in his view, it was Dr Mahathir who had single-handedly destroyed the judiciary which has yet to regain its equilibrium after the 1988 crisis. 

He said if there was no response within a week, he would raise the matter when Parliament sat next month. 

“It is my view that you abused the provisions of Article 125(3) of the Federal Constitution leading to the setting up of the two tribunals which found the three judges guilty of misconduct,” Karpal Singh said in the letter.  

“These three judges were unfairly removed from office. 

“It is not the present Government which should apologise, but you (Dr Mahathir) yourself personally. 

“The necessity for you to apologise cries to high heaven. Your acts caused the judges concerned and their families untold pain and suffering.” 

Karpal Singh added that it was the least Dr Mahathir could do to atone for what transpired 20 years ago.

-THE STAR