Anwar Emphasizes Unity in PKR, No Punishment for MPs Seeking Judicial Transparency

SHAH ALAM, July 18 (VOM-Voice of Malaysia) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not take disciplinary action against Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) lawmakers who recently called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into judicial appointments, affirming that party members are free to voice their opinions on public matters.

PKR Information Chief Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Anwar made his stance clear during a meeting with Selangor PKR leaders held in Shah Alam on Friday.

“The Prime Minister respects the right of every member to speak up on national issues. There is no question of disciplinary measures,” Fahmi told reporters. “He wants the party to understand the concerns raised and move forward.”

Earlier this month, six PKR MPs—including Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli—publicly urged the formation of an RCI to address transparency in the judicial appointment process. The call was echoed by Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Subang MP Wong Chen, Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, Balik Pulau MP Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, and Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail.

Fahmi said Anwar also encouraged grassroots unity, advising divisional leaders to include members who lost in previous internal elections in future committee appointments.

“Those who were defeated must not be sidelined. The message is clear—the party must unite, not divide,” Fahmi said, adding that appointments for PKR state leadership council chairs would be concluded by the end of July.

He said PKR’s nationwide party machinery would begin renewed political mobilization from August onwards, ahead of expected national developments.

The push for judicial reform gained momentum after the Malaysian Bar staged a peaceful march to the Prime Minister’s Office at the Palace of Justice earlier this month. A memorandum was handed over, calling for urgent action to fill top judicial vacancies and to form an RCI over alleged interference in the judiciary.

The issue followed the mandatory retirement of Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim on July 2 and 3, respectively.

On Friday (July 18), Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim officially appointed Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the new Chief Justice of the Federal Court. Also appointed were Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as President of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as Chief Judge of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak.

While the appointments have now filled the leadership vacuum, public and professional calls continue for broader structural reform to safeguard the independence and integrity of Malaysia’s judicial system.

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