Post by : Meena Ariff

Photo: Reuters

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that there is no problem with the Malaysian Bar planning to hold a march for judicial independence next week. He explained that in Malaysia, people have the right to gather and express their views peacefully.

However, he reminded everyone that both the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) and Istana Negara have already addressed the issue of judicial appointments. He said it is important that everyone respects the legal processes and the Federal Constitution when dealing with matters related to the judiciary.

Speaking about his role, Prime Minister Anwar stressed that he has never interfered in court decisions. “For the past two-and-a-half years, I have never interfered with any decisions made by the courts,” he said confidently, showing his respect for Malaysia’s judiciary system.

Why is the Malaysian Bar Planning a March?

Earlier this week, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who is the Economic Minister, and eight other Members of Parliament (MPs) from Anwar’s party, PKR, called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI). They wanted this RCI to investigate how judges are appointed in Malaysia because there have been rumours that politics is influencing these appointments.

They believe that by setting up an RCI, people’s doubts will be cleared and the public will have more confidence in the fairness of Malaysia’s judicial system.
In response, the Malaysian Bar announced that it will hold a gathering at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya at 2 pm on July 14. After the gathering, they will march peacefully to the Prime Minister’s Office to submit a memorandum. This memorandum will include their views and demands to protect the independence of the judiciary in the country.

What Does the Attorney General’s Chambers Say?

Meanwhile, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) has said that there is no need to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry or even a parliamentary investigation at this time. According to the AGC, the current situation does not meet the requirements of a constitutional crisis, which is when there is a serious problem that affects the country’s basic legal system.

They believe that the process of appointing judges is still under control and there is no immediate danger that would require such a major investigation.
Istana Negara’s Reminder on Judicial Appointments

Istana Negara, which is the official residence of the King of Malaysia, also released a statement. In it, Istana Negara reminded all parties not to turn the appointment of top judges into a political issue. They said the appointment process must always follow what is written in the Federal Constitution and be carried out with honesty, fairness, and integrity.

Why Are People Concerned Now?

Right now, Malaysia does not have a permanent Chief Justice or a President of the Court of Appeal. This is because both the previous Chief Justice, Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, and the President of the Court of Appeal, Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, have reached their mandatory retirement age. However, their successors have not yet been named.

Many people, including lawyers, MPs, and members of the public, are worried about this situation. They feel that it is important to appoint new top judges quickly so that the judiciary can continue to run smoothly without delays in important court decisions.

Some believe that if this matter is delayed further, it might create confusion or uncertainty within the legal system, which could affect ordinary citizens who depend on the courts for justice.

Prime Minister’s Final Message

The Prime Minister ended his statement by saying that while people have the right to hold gatherings and marches, everyone must remember to act within the law and respect Malaysia’s Constitution. He said this will ensure that the country remains peaceful and stable even when people are expressing their opinions.