Seven National Laureates Call For Equal Justice Under Law

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Seven National Laureates have warned against double standards in the administration of justice, stressing that no individual should be above the law regardless of their status, power, wealth or influence.

In a joint statement, they called for the rule of law to be upheld fairly as it was fundamental to building a democratic nation founded on integrity and dignity, while safeguarding the rights, freedoms, security and justice of every citizen.

“Justice must not be a privilege reserved for certain groups but a fundamental right of every individual. There must not be double standards in the application of the law - one for those with power and influence and another for ordinary citizens.

“Everyone must be subject to the same legal principles and processes. No one should consider themselves too powerful to be held accountable, nor should anyone be so powerless that they are denied access to justice,” they said.

The statement was issued by Datuk Seri Dr A. Samad Said, Datuk Baharuddin Zainal, Prof Emeritus Dr Muhammad Salleh, Datuk Dr Anwar Ridhwan, Datuk Dr Zurinah Hassan, Datuk Dr Siti Zainon Ismail and Datuk Rahman Shaari.

They said language and literature also had a responsibility to uphold truth, justice and humanity, particularly by defending the interests of those without power or influence.

The laureates stressed that a nation’s standing should be measured not only by economic progress, technological advancement or institutional strength, but also by how it treated its people, especially those unable to defend their own interests.

They said the rule of law, as enshrined in the Rukun Negara, must be more than a principle recited, but one practised to ensure that no one was above the law and no one was denied its protection.

“True justice is justice experienced by all segments of society,” they said, adding that this was essential to building a dignified Malaysia, a united society and a civilisation rooted in humanity.

-- BERNAMA