Pkr Mp Support Peaceful Assembly But Don T Rewrite Judicial History

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Segamat MP R Yuneswaran has expressed support for the Malaysian Bar’s march in Putrajaya today, but cautioned against what he described as attempts to distort historical facts surrounding judicial appointments.
Yuneswaran said he fully backed the right to assemble peacefully, noting that he had personally faced charges under the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012.
“I am in full support of the right to peaceful assembly and that includes today’s march by members of the Malaysian Bar from the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
“I myself was charged under the Peaceful Assembly Act and was very happy when the Federal Court ruled earlier this month that Section 9(5) of the PAA is unconstitutional,” he said in a statement today.
ADSHe added that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s promised reforms to amend the law would further strengthen the right to protest.
‘Wild narratives’ too much
However, Yuneswaran took issue with what he described as “wild narratives” by opposition figures and activists, particularly over judicial appointments.
He singled out Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) adviser Latheefa Koya, who recently urged the government to table a constitutional amendment to remove executive influence from the process and described the current situation as “the greatest judicial scandal in history”.
“Firstly, the prime minister himself announced in April that there would be a review of the Judicial Appointments Act, which should enhance transparency and judicial independence.
“Secondly, it is a distortion of the truth to deem this the greatest judicial scandal in our history,” he claimed.
Lawyer Latheefa KoyaHe pointed to past cases of judicial crises under previous administrations, including the 1988 removal of then-lord president Salleh Abas and the suspension of five Supreme Court judges.
“Perhaps the opposition and their cronies need reminding that the chief justice had reached retirement age – which contrasts sharply with the suspension and eventual removal of the lord president of the Supreme Court, Salleh Abas, from his seat,” said the PKR lawmaker.
He also cited the 2007 VK Lingam scandal, where the lawyer allegedly brokered judicial appointments, as well as the 2021 suspension of Court of Appeal judge Hamid Sultan Abu Backer after making claims of interference.
“The last time lawyers held such a march was on June 17, 2022, to protest the MACC’s announcement of an investigation into then-High Court judge Nazlan Ghazali.
“None of these occasions were when PKR and Pakatan Harapan were part of the ruling administration.
“Perhaps that is why some characters are trying to whitewash the past and dramatise the present?” he claimed.
Anwar, under pressure from critics to resign over allegations of judicial interference, earlier today held a no-holds-barred meeting with Harapan MPs to explain various controversies linked to the appointments of top judicial positions. - Mkini

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