Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Ariff Yusof today decided to step down from hearing the case of Datuk Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin challenging the legitimacy of Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir as the Perak menteri besar.
Ariff said he was doing so because "justice must be manifestly seen to be done." He noted that there were other qualified judges to hear the case.Alternatively, Nizar could choose to refer the case straight to the Federal Court for a more immediate and final decision.
"In overall circumstances, I find it best that I recuse myself from hearing this case," he concluded.
One of Nizar's nine lawyers, Ranjit Singh, said they would wait to see who will be the next judge from the Appellate and Special Powers decision of the KL High Court assigned the case before making a decision.
Nizar, who was in court for the hearing, said he would abide by the court's decision. "We have the confidence if the application is heard before another judge," he told reporters outside the courtroom.
"The legal battle has begun. We are confident of winning," he added.
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