The “wheels of Justice” are proverbially said to grind “exceeding small” but that, of course, depends if they grind at all. In Malaysia that is increasingly doubtful as long delays in the administration of justice leave Malaysians wondering if their judicial institutions are effective at all.

The latest query arises from a report that the appeal against conviction of mega thief Najib will not be heard until February next year!
Why the delay? The judgment has been published for all, including the Appeal Judges, to study. Do they really need until next February to rule on the matter? Are such delays in the public interest? Or do they illustrate weaknesses in the administration of justice?

Perhaps the authorities concerned will either explain to the public why things move so slowly or overcome what seems to be judicial inertia.