Pm Rulers To Make Official Announcement On Judicial Appointments Tomorrow

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The Conference of Rulers is expected to make an official announcement on key judicial appointments tomorrow, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He stated that this follows an extensive deliberation during today's meeting of the Conference of Rulers.
The forthcoming decision, Anwar said, is expected to effectively dispel negative perceptions concerning judicial independence and allegations related to the potential appointment of an unsuitable individual.
"This morning, I had a lengthy discussion with the Conference of Rulers, and I believe it is best for them to make the decision.
ADS“Hopefully, tomorrow there will be an announcement that will put to rest all the negative perceptions.
“God willing, when the announcement is made, it will prove that this government - the Madani government - is truly committed to reform, including upholding the principle of judicial independence," he told reporters in Putrajaya today.
Yesterday, around 300 people participated in the “Walk for Judicial Independence” led by the Malaysian Bar.
They submitted a memorandum with four demands - namely, filling top judicial vacancies, releasing minutes of a recent Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting, forming a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to probe judicial interference, and addressing overall judicial vacancies.
Last Saturday, a leak of purported JAC meeting minutes in May appeared to lend credence to allegations of judicial interference against a senior judge.
There are also concerns that the government is sidelining recommendations from the JAC - made when Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat was chief justice - to fill key judicial positions.
PM Anwar Ibrahim at the Conference of Rulers meeting todayAnwar acknowledged public concerns over the delay in appointing a new chief justice, creating a perception that some key appointments to the judiciary may have been compromised.
“The concern came, firstly, because there were delays in the appointment. Secondly, the perception that appointments to key positions in the judiciary may have been affected, with some questioning the candidates involved.
“But I assure you, this will not happen and I hope our friends in the legal fraternity will respect the fact that we must work based on law, not perceptions.
“Leave perceptions to politicians. Only then can we administer (the nation) better,” he added.
Madani respects judicial independence
The premier stressed that the government always respects judicial independence.
ADSHe also pointed out that the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said and Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar are aware of the facts and details, stressing no questionable names were presented to the Agong or Malay rulers for consideration.
Anwar reiterated his administration’s commitment to reforms, which include upholding judicial independence and assured that he had never interfered in any cases, including his own.
“In the last two and a half years being in power, I have never discussed any cases with any judges, including the chief justice.
“I believe in judicial independence. When there are concerns raised, I must take note of them,” he added. - Mkini

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