Anwar Clarifies Judicial Appointment Concerns in Meeting with BN MPs
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has addressed concerns surrounding judicial appointments during a meeting with Barisan Nasional (BN) Members of Parliament, according to BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid said the issue was among the key topics discussed in the one-hour meeting, amid growing public interest and pressure over recent delays in appointing top judicial figures.
He revealed that BN is not in favour of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into judicial appointments, noting that such a move could contradict the government’s current approach, which focuses on studying international best practices.
Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had earlier announced that the government will conduct a comparative study on judicial appointment methods used in the United Kingdom, India, Australia, and Singapore to determine the most suitable system for Malaysia.
Zahid also emphasized that the appointment of the Chief Justice should not be politicised.
“We must respect the role of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who considers the personality and background of any potential appointee,” he told reporters after officiating the Selayang Umno division annual general meeting.
The issue has gained urgency following the recent retirements of Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim. In the interim, Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Mohd Hasnah Hashim has been appointed as acting Chief Justice, while Federal Court Judge Datuk Zabariah Yusof is now serving as acting Court of Appeal President.
The temporary arrangements have led to calls from civil society and legal professionals for greater transparency, including suggestions for a parliamentary inquiry into the judicial selection process.
The Prime Minister’s meeting with BN MPs appears aimed at building consensus and easing tensions as the government moves to address reform in Malaysia’s judicial system.