Latheefa Judicial Crisis Persists As Long As Pm Controls Top Appointments

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The appointment of Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the new chief justice has done little to douse concerns over judicial independence, with Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) co-founder Latheefa Koya insisting that Malaysia remains mired in a “judicial crisis”.
In a statement today, Latheefa took aim at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s attempts to downplay allegations of executive interference, accusing him of being “desperate and dishonest”.
“This is a self-serving, false and desperate attempt to mislead the public,” she said, referring to Anwar’s remarks yesterday dismissing the controversy as a fabrication by “political lawyers”.
Berita Harian had quoted Anwar as saying: “So, where did the allegations come from? From some politically motivated lawyers. I don’t think it came from anyone else, and I hope my explanation clears the air.”
Latheefa argued that the real issue lies in the continued concentration of power in the hands of the prime minister, who retains the authority under Article 122B of the Federal Constitution to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on top judicial appointments.
“As long as this power remains unreformed and unrestrained, the judicial crisis continues. Public confidence in judicial independence cannot be restored under these conditions,” she said.
Anwar had also denied ever proposing Federal Court judge Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh as chief justice, amid earlier speculation sparked by former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who on July 13 warned that a judge accused of judicial interference may soon be appointed to the top judicial post.
‘Why no extension?’
Latheefa stressed that the current controversy goes beyond the appointment of the top three judges. She said it began with the unexplained decision not to extend the tenure of former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.
Retired chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat“Tengku Maimun had an excellent record and was respected throughout the region. Instead of granting her an extension, she was bundled out of office and replaced with an acting CJ.
“Why was this necessary when she could have remained in the post?” she asked.
She also questioned the inconsistency in the government’s actions, pointing out that several other Federal Court judges were granted extensions while Tengku Maimun was not.
“This raised serious concerns about Anwar’s motives, which have yet to be credibly addressed,” she said.
Latheefa further criticised delays in the appointment of over 30 High Court judges, with no clear explanation from the prime minister.
“Was this also nothing, as Anwar claims now?” she asked.
She also cited the leaked purported minutes of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), which contained allegations from Tengku Maimun herself.
Rather than addressing the claims, Latheefa said the Madani government responded with threats of criminal action under the Official Secrets Act.
“This triggered a scandal of proportions not seen in decades,” she said, accusing Anwar of attempting to sweep the matter under the carpet now that the new top appointments have been made.
The Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court yesterday confirmed Wan Ahmad Farid’s appointment as chief justice, with his swearing-in ceremony scheduled for July 28.
Federal Court judge Abu Bakar Jais was named the new president of the Court of Appeal, while Court of Appeal judge Azizah Nawawi is now the chief judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak. - Mkini

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