Terrirudin S Appointment To Jac Blasted For Making Mockery Of Madani S Reformist Agenda

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IN LOCAL parlance, ‘NATO’ doesn’t stand for ‘North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’ but rather ‘no action, talk only’.
That derogatory phrase has often been hurled at the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – and by extension the Madani administration. Why? For not delivering on electoral promises on getting rid of corruption, nepotism and cronyism, among others.

The latest move that has further tarnished the incumbent government’s claim of transparency and sense of fair-play is the appointment of Federal judge Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh to the Judicial Appointments Committee (JAC) for a period of two years effective Nov 15 this year to Nov 14, 2027 as gazetted by the government.
Editor’s Note: Terrirudin was appointed to the JAC under the quota of five members chosen by the executive. Under the quota, the PM can appoint one Federal Court judge and four prominent people who are not members of the executive or other civil service.
If indeed PMX is adamant in pushing through controversial this appointment to a highly important post, then it would just be grist to the mill for the anti-Madani demographic.
Given that various individuals with varied backgrounds – not just opposition politicians – have voiced their concerns, PMX should really pay heed lest the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led government is labelled as tone deaf.
‘Man who makes DNAA household name’
Needless to say, leading the charge against this controversial appointment are opposition politicians. PUTRA vice-president Brigadier General (R) Adnan Abu Hassan described the decision as a “crisis of institutional sovereignty” and a threat to the integrity of the country’s judiciary.

Another opposition politician who did not mince his words was Bersatu’s information chief Datuk Tun Faizal Ismail Aziz who gave a long list of reasons why this appointment needs to be vigorously opposed by all Malaysians.
In a lengthy tirade on Facebook, the 54-year-old argued that this is the individual who help make “DNAA (discharge not amounting to acquittal)” a household phrase.
“Terrirudin has also been linked to a number of major controversies, including the issue of the Addendum on the detention of Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his role as solicitor-general in the DNAA application for (Deputy PM) Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,” reiterated Tun Faizal.

Added the former press secretary to the former federal territories minister and communications and multimedia minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa: “Both of these issues continue to raise public doubts about his integrity.”
Elsewhere, lawyer and first woman to helm Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Lateefa Koya, also voiced her disapproval, pointedly asking if previous allegations surrounding the former attorney-general were ever properly investigated.
There were also rumblings of discontent from the Bar Council whose president Ezri Abdul Wahab argued that while the power of appointment lies with PMX, “the lack of transparency surrounding the process – including the considerations applied – is troubling”.
“The appointment pursuant to section 5(1)(e) of the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2009 has traditionally been held by the most senior members of the Federal Court,” he opined.

“Departing from this practice raises legitimate questions about the basis for the decision, particularly in the absence of any clear explanation of the criteria used.
“Predictability, clarity and respect for established norms are essential to sustaining public confidence in the independence of the judiciary.”
The calls to review this appointment have been very loud and clear. If PMX wants the electorate to believe that the Madani administration is indeed committed to its fight against corruption and other abuse of power, then this appointment needs reviewing.
If only to maintain a semblance of transparency that many seem to think has vanished from the Madani government’s vocabulary, Terrirudin’s appointment can potentially make or break this administration’s tenure. –  Focus Malaysia

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