Firm yet friendly

IT WAS THE quintessential Aziz Zain reaction. Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Zain, former Federal Court judge, was asked why he sat on the tribunal which led to the removal of Tun Salleh Abbas as the Lord President. `I received a command from the King to sit on the tribunal. Although Salleh is my very good friend, how could I say no? I wasn't happy but I had to do my duty to the King.' His answer was equally crisp when asked if he harboured any regrets over the outcome of the tribunal. `I came in and I walked out with my conscience clear.' No further reasoning or explanation. Brief, dispassionate and detached. As only Aziz could be. Senior lawyers who appeared before him until his retirement from…