More than 1,500 lawyers(plus a few others) participated in the 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' on 14/7/2025, starting from the Palace of Justice(which houses the Federal Courts and Court of Appeal) and ending at the Prime Minister's office, some 2.6Km away...
More than a thousand participants in the Malaysian Bar's march for judicial independence arrived at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) at 3pm today, culminating in the handover of a memorandum to the Legal Affairs Division.(NST, 14/7/2025)
The main issue is the Independence of the Judiciary - wanting the removal of the Prime Minister's (or the Executive arm of government and/or any others role) in the appointment of judges, the elevation of judges to the Court of Appeal/Federal Court or to high Judicial Office - the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge or the High Court of Malaya and the Chief Judge of the High Court of Sabah-Sarawak.
This issue is an old issue, that came up after the Lingam Tape Scandal, which saw the creation of the Judicial Appointments Commission[JAC], who was responsible for vetting and choosing Judges for appointment and for high Judicial Office. Despite there being problems in the then Judicial Appointments Commission Act, and the FAILURE to amend the Federal Constitution to reflect these changes to ensure Judicial Independence, past Prime Ministers seem to have followed the JAC's recommendation and advised the King.
However, there is a PROBLEM now, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim may be making his own choices - ignoring the recommendation of the JAC(who is made up of the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge or the High Court of Malaya, the Chief Judge of the High Court of Sabah-Sarawak and 5 political appointees of the Prime Minister]. In late 2022, the Rulers Conference called for the removal of these 5 political appointees of the PM - and stated again that the Prime Minister should not have any role in appointing members of the JAC to ensure the independence of the Malaysian Judiciary.
After the issue was raised, all that PM Anwar needed to do was to assure the people that he had never appointed/elevated judges on his own, and that he had faithfully followed all recommendations of the JAC - But PM Anwar Ibrahim DID NOT...and this is the problem.
Nurul Izzah - Was she there to DISTRACT from the main object of the Bar's Protest?
NOW, when the Malaysian Bar marched - Anwar's daughter, Nurul Izzah turned up, and also made statements to the MEDIA - Rather than supporting the fundamental issue, she seem to focus on a smaller issue - Was this an ACT to distract the public from the fundamental reasons of the March.
Her focus was on a related issue - NOT the major issue for which lawyers marched..
On allegations of interference in the judiciary, she said this was substantiated by a police report on the matter as well as a purported leak of the Judicial Appointment Committee (JAC) meeting.
"It is important that these allegations be investigated to restore trust in our judiciary.
"Investigations can commence under Article 125 of the Federal Constitution through the establishment of an independent tribunal comprising at least five senior judges.
"Such actions will go a long way to preserve the faith in our systems," she said.
Was it a calculated move on her part - to protect her father PM Anwar Ibrahim? Either way, she should have not tried 'to steal the thunder' from the Malaysian Bar. She could have spoken up earlier, but she did not.
Nurul Izzah failed to talk about the fact that the Prime Minister MUST follow the recommendations of the JAC - and never pick and choose judges on his own, contrary to the recommendations of the JAC. Nurul never said that Anwar must speedily act on recommendation of the JAC...
Nurul, sadly, is becoming more like her father, skillfully avoiding giving clear answers to questions asked, and talking in general terms rather than addressing the specific concerns.
I would not be surprised that Anwar may soon announce the issue of setting up the tribunal involving judges
The JAC would have already recommended who should Chief Justice
The JAC would have vetted and made recommendations when a vacancy is about to happen - so that the vacancy could be speedily filled. They would have already made recommendation about who should the NEW Chief Justice and NEW President of the Court of Appeal - before the CJM and PCOA retired. So, why have we still not have a Chief Justice or President COA - is Prime Minister Anwar 'UNHAPPY' with the recommended names, and wants to pick some other to hold Judicial HIGH OFFICE?
Why is Anwar meeting MPs - to discuss who will be next Chief Justice???
Anwar's meeting BN Members of Parliament, and the Pakatan Harapan MPs - WHY? Was it to discuss judicial appointments? If YES, it is SO WRONG because no one should be discussing WHO should be appointed Judges, elevated to higher courts or occupy the position of the Chief Justice or the President of the Court of Appeal - that decision should have made by the INDEPENDENT Judicial Appointments Commission - and PM Anwar follows the JAC's recommendation, and advice the King to appoint -so, why the delay? Is the PM not happy with the recommendation, and prefers to DECIDE on his own?
What we want is the JAC's Minutes - to see if the last 25 Judges appointed on November 2024 were recommended by the JAC - was that decision unanimous?
We want the JAC minutes that recomended who will be the NEW Chief Justice of Malaya?
We want the JAC Minutes to find out whether the JAC did recommend to the PM to fill the about 30 Vacancies - 24 High Court Judges, etc.. WHO DELAYED the appointment? Was it the Prime Minister, or was it the JAC?
Remember, in Malaysia - the King appoints Judges as advised by the Prime Minister. The King CANNOT OBJECT - he must act as advised.
40 Yang di-Pertuan Agong to act on advice.(1A) In the exercise of his functions under this Constitution or federal law, where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is to act in accordance with advice, on advice, or after considering advice, the Yang di- Pertuan Agong shall accept and act in accordance with such advice.
During Anwar's premiership - some times we see that this and that was SAID TO BE the King's decision, and as such people loyal to the King should not object or question. ODD because, most matters are done on the advice of the Prime Minister > the King cannot be blamed for appointments - blame should lie on the Prime Minister, or relevant Minister, or... who the KING had NO CHOICE but to act as advised.
So, when a NEW Chief Justice is appointed by the KING - do not blame the King, for he had to act as advised by the Prime Minister...
The issue is WHETHER OUR PM IS APPOINTING JUDGES AS PER RECOMMENDATION OF THE JAC OR NOT. If not, the principles we fought for - i.e. that the PM or others should have no role in picking Judges - only the INDEPENDENT Judicial Commission..
Not the King, not the Rulers Conference, Not the Cabinet, Not the MPs that picks and chooses judges - Only the INDEPENDENT Judicial Appointments Commission
### There may be no need to interfere in court cases - if you already have your choosen judge in place..
See also:-
Independence of the Judiciary Requires the Removal of the Prime Minister’s Power to Choose and Elevate Judges, ..(10 Groups)
Malaysian Bar's march concludes with memorandum handover at PMO [WATCH]
PUTRAJAYA: More than a thousand participants in the Malaysian Bar's march for judicial independence arrived at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) at 3pm today, culminating in the handover of a memorandum to the Legal Affairs Division.
The procession, which began at the Palace of Justice, saw members of the legal fraternity marching across 2.6km in blazing afternoon heat after initially gathering under overcast skies and a drizzle earlier in the day.
Among those present were high-profile public figures, including PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar, Kota Baru member of parliament Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hasan, Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan and former Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Rais Yatim.
Malaysian Bar Council president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab and fellow council members stirred the crowd as placards bearing messages such as "All eyes on the judiciary", "Defend judicial independence", and "Justice for the judiciary" were held aloft.
Participants were closely monitored by over a hundred police officers, including personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department's elite Op Cantas unit, with a police drone observed overhead.
The march remained peaceful and was confined to the pavement along Persiaran Perdana.
The memorandum contains four key demands, including the immediate appointment of top judicial posts, the disclosure of Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting minutes, the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into alleged interference in the judiciary and action on widespread judicial vacancies.
- New Straits Times, 14/7/2025
I joined Malaysian Bar walk as a concerned Malaysian, says Nurul Izzah
- Nation
-
Monday, 14 Jul 2025
PETALING JAYA: Nurul Izzah Anwar says she joined the Malaysian Bar's march on Monday (July 14) as a "concerned Malaysian" to ensure that the Madani government continues to protect judicial integrity.
"I joined this walk as a concerned Malaysian – to listen, to witness for myself and to express solidarity with the concerns raised by the Bar Council" the PKR deputy president said in an Instagram post on Monday (July 14) night.
She also said she was no stranger to speaking up when it mattered
"Today, I must speak up again, to ensure that the Madani government continues to protect the integrity of our judiciary," she said.
Nurul Izzah explained the three branches of government – the judiciary, the executive and the legislature – exist to keep one another in check, ensuring that no single branch can operate without accountability.
"An independent judiciary is the essential bulwark against overreach by the executive, the Cabinet, and the government as a whole.
"The most crucial thing in an independent judicial system is the lack of interference from internal or external forces.
"As such, persons appointed as the Chief Justice of Malaya; President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of Malaya and the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak must not only be capable but also be of the highest moral integrity to carry out the job," she said.
On allegations of interference in the judiciary, she said this was substantiated by a police report on the matter as well as a purported leak of the Judicial Appointment Committee (JAC) meeting.
"It is important that these allegations be investigated to restore trust in our judiciary.
"Investigations can commence under Article 125 of the Federal Constitution through the establishment of an independent tribunal comprising at least five senior judges.
"Such actions will go a long way to preserve the faith in our systems," she said. - Star, 14/7/2025
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