Post by : Meena Ariff

About 400 lawyers walked in a peaceful march today to protect the independence of Malaysia’s judiciary. The walk started from the Palace of Justice (PoJ) and ended at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) complex. This march was organised by the Malaysian Bar, and it was called the “Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence.”

Why Was the March Organised?

The Malaysian Bar organised this demonstration because of worries about the country’s judicial system. Many people are concerned that the judiciary is losing its independence. There are also long vacancies in the top positions of the courts. Some important judge posts have not been filled for a long time. Because of this, some court cases are being fixed for hearings as late as the year 2030. The Bar believes this is unfair to the people who are waiting for justice.

Who Led the March?

At 2:30 pm, the President of the Malaysian Bar, Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab, led the group of lawyers. They started their walk from the Palace of Justice and walked down Persiaran Perdana towards Putra Square. The police were there to make sure everyone was safe and that traffic was controlled properly during the march.

Who Joined the March?

Many important people took part in this march to show their support for the independence of the judiciary. Among them were:

• Former Attorney General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas
• PAS Secretary-General Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan
• Former Dewan Negara President Tan Sri Rais Yatim
• PKR Deputy President Nurul Izzah Anwar
• Several former Malaysian Bar presidents were also there, including Karen Cheah, Steven Thiru, Christopher Leong, and Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan. Their presence showed how important this issue is for the legal community in Malaysia.

What Happened at Putra Square?

When the group reached Putra Square, Mohamad Ezri led a smaller group to deliver a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office at around 3:20 pm. The memorandum was received by Datuk Zamri Misman, who is the Director-General of the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal Affairs Division). He accepted it on behalf of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

What Did the Memorandum Say?

In the memorandum, the Malaysian Bar raised four main points. One of the key demands was for the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI). This commission would investigate any interference in the judiciary. The Bar believes that the judiciary must remain free and fair for everyone to get justice.
Another demand was for the government to quickly fill all the top leadership positions in the judiciary with judges who are respected by other judges, lawyers, and the public. They believe that having strong and respected leaders in the courts will make the judiciary stronger and more independent.

Why Is Judicial Independence Important?

Judicial independence means that judges can make decisions without any outside pressure or influence. This is important because it ensures fair treatment for everyone, no matter how powerful or rich they are. If the judiciary is not independent, people might not get justice, and the public will lose trust in the court system.

What Did the Malaysian Bar President Say?

After the memorandum was delivered, Mohamad Ezri spoke to the reporters. He said he was happy with the turnout. He also mentioned that members of the public joined the march along with the lawyers.
He said, “We have seen a lot of talk on social media and media statements that could harm the independence of the judiciary. We want this issue to be settled as soon as possible.”
He added, “We are not giving the government any timeline, but we hope they resolve it quickly.”

Why Was the Walk Important?

This walk was not just an ordinary protest. It was organised because of a resolution passed during the Malaysian Bar’s 79th Annual General Meeting on March 15. The members gave the Bar Council the power to take public action to protect the judiciary’s independence. It is part of their duty to stand up for justice and the rights of the people.

How Did the Walk End?

The march ended peacefully at around 3:45 pm. After the memorandum was delivered, the crowd dispersed calmly, and no problems were reported. The police made sure that everything went smoothly throughout the event.

What is the History of Judicial Independence Issues?

In recent years, there have been worries about the independence of the judiciary in Malaysia. Some people think that the government or powerful individuals might influence the decisions of the courts. This is dangerous because it can lead to unfair decisions and injustice. The Malaysian Bar has always spoken up to protect the courts from such influence.

What Happens Next?

Now that the memorandum has been delivered, it is up to the government to respond. The Malaysian Bar hopes that the government will act quickly to fill the top judge positions and ensure that the judiciary remains independent. They also hope that the Royal Commission of Inquiry will be set up soon to check if there has been any interference with the courts.

Why Should People Care?

This issue affects everyone in Malaysia. When the courts are strong and independent, people can trust that they will get justice when they need it. It also protects the country’s democracy and shows that no one is above the law.

A Peaceful Call for Justice

Today’s peaceful walk showed that the legal community in Malaysia is united in its call for justice. The presence of so many lawyers and public figures proved how important this issue is. It was a strong message to the government to protect the country’s judiciary so that it can serve the people fairly and without fear.