Pm Should Not Flaunt Power By Publicising Chief Justice Courtesy Call Zaid

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Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has criticised Anwar Ibrahim’s courtesy call with the newly appointed chief justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, urging the prime minister not to flaunt his power in a manner that could imply assertion of moral authority over the judiciary.
Zaid reminded that the relationship between the head of the judiciary and the executive should be kept minimal and ceremonial to prevent the perception of political influence.
“In a heavily politicised climate, it can feed suspicion that the judiciary is being subtly ‘reminded’ of the PM’s expectations.
“PMX is directly linked to ongoing legal matters involving himself. Publicising the meeting, with the PMX giving moral instructions to the CJ, risks looking like an executive asserting moral authority over the judiciary,” he said yesterday on X.
ADSHe also said that there has never been a tradition for newly appointed chief justices to make a courtesy call or meeting with the prime minister, whether in Malaysia or other Commonwealth countries.
While meetings do occur on administrative or budgetary matters, they are usually private and never framed as an occasion for the prime minister to advise the chief justice about integrity or wisdom, he said.
“I blamed the PM for not protecting the image of a newly promoted CJ, especially when Wan Ahmad Farid’s own appointment was fraught and unusual on many fronts.
“PMX should not flaunt his power in this manner unless he is sending a message to the judges that he is the boss.”
PM Anwar Ibrahim and CJ Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh during the latter’s courtesy call earlier this weekEarlier this week, Anwar received a courtesy call from Wan Ahmad Farid at the prime minister’s office.
Anwar announced that their meeting focused on the importance of reinforcing a judiciary grounded in independence and integrity, and on strengthening public trust in the judiciary as a cornerstone of a just and equitable rule of law.
In a Facebook post, Anwar also congratulated and expressed hope that the newly appointed chief justice will carry out the responsibilities entrusted to him with wisdom and integrity, in the pursuit of a fairer and more progressive Malaysia.
CJ appointment
On July 18, Wan Ahmad Farid was named the new chief justice, succeeding Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2.
In his maiden speech at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Aug 6, Wan Ahmad Farid, whose appointment came under scrutiny over his past ties with Umno, pledged to safeguard the independence of the judiciary.
Before his judicial career, Wan Ahmad Farid served as deputy home minister from March 2008 to April 2009 under the administration of former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and was Kuala Terengganu Umno chief in 2008.
Newly appointed Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan SallehThe chief justice was also previously picked to contest in the Kuala Terengganu by-election in 2009, when Najib Abdul Razak was the prime minister.
Among his notable rulings was recusing himself from hearing an application to allow a Queen’s Counsel from the UK to represent Najib in the appeal over the RM42 million SRC International corruption case.
He cited a conflict of interest, noting that a family member was affiliated with Najib’s political party. - Mkini

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