Hundreds of Lawyers March to PM’s Office Over Judicial Appointment Deadlock

In a rare public demonstration, more than a thousand lawyers led by the Malaysian Bar marched 2.6 kilometres from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday, demanding immediate action on judicial appointments and alleged political interference in the judiciary.

Dressed in black and carrying placards, participants gathered under the banner of the “Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence,” a peaceful march aimed at highlighting deepening concerns over prolonged judicial vacancies and the integrity of Malaysia’s legal system.

The group submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister’s Office at around 3.20pm, outlining four key demands:

• Immediate appointment of qualified and reputable judges to fill top judiciary positions.
• Public release of the minutes from the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting held on 16 May.
• Formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate alleged interference in judicial affairs.
• Swift action to fill numerous judicial vacancies seen as threatening the stability and function of the justice system.

The demonstration comes in the wake of the recent retirement of two of Malaysia’s top judges — Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Court of Appeal President Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim — without immediate replacements. The delay has triggered speculation of political deadlock and interference between the executive branch and the judiciary.

The situation was further inflamed over the weekend when excerpts of a confidential JAC meeting were allegedly leaked and circulated online, raising serious concerns over transparency in judicial selections. The JAC, composed of senior judges and legal professionals, typically operates in strict confidentiality.

Among those spotted during the walk were political figures from across the spectrum, including Nurul Izzah Anwar, deputy president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and daughter of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Also in attendance were PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, former Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim, and civil rights lawyer Siti Kassim.

Former attorney-general Tommy Thomas and former Malaysian Bar presidents Ambiga Sreenevasan and Karen Cheah also joined the march, signalling broad concern within Malaysia’s legal fraternity.

Speaking to reporters, Nurul Izzah said the protest represented the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and stressed the need to improve transparency within the judicial appointment system.

“It is important that these allegations be investigated to restore our trust in our judiciary,” she said.

Meanwhile, internal tensions have surfaced within PKR, as nine of its Members of Parliament, including former Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and former Environment Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, have publicly called for an RCI and demanded an explanation from the Prime Minister.

In response, party leadership has reportedly considered disciplinary action against the dissenting MPs.

Rafizi, speaking to local media, warned that mishandling the issue could erode public confidence in the Pakatan Harapan-led government and undermine the reformist image that helped bring it to power.

“If we do not speak up and this issue is not handled well, the impact on PH will be more severe,” he said. “Voters will feel that all politicians are the same.”

The Malaysian Bar, which represents over 23,000 lawyers in Peninsular Malaysia, reiterated that the march was not politically motivated but rather an urgent institutional response to a perceived erosion of judicial independence.

Police presence was heavy during the event, with over 100 officers deployed and surveillance drones observed overhead. However, the march proceeded peacefully.

As the government faces growing scrutiny and pressure from both within and outside its coalition, the coming days may prove pivotal in determining the trajectory of judicial reform and public trust in Malaysia’s democratic institutions.