Meanwhile, various politicians including opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman and former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin have called for an investigation into allegations of abuse of power and judicial interference after the leak of the supposed excerpts from the JAC meeting held in May.
The excerpts from the purported minutes had said that the former chief justice had raised concerns about the integrity of a candidate for an administrative post in the judiciary, Free Malaysia Today reported.
There were also claims made in the meeting minutes that the judge in question had once attempted to influence the outcome of a case in favour of a specific party and had sought the transfer of a fellow judge for holding a different view.
“These claims must be thoroughly investigated and corrective action must be taken to ensure that judicial appointments are made with integrity so that public confidence in the judiciary as a pillar of justice remains intact,” Muhyiddin said on Monday, as quoted by Free Malaysia Today.
He added that if these claims were indeed true, the appointment of the judge in question would violate Section 23(2)(a) of the JAC Act 2009 on judicial integrity.
Malaysian authorities have launched an investigation into the alleged leak of the meeting minutes under the Official Secrets Act and two other laws.
The JAC vets and recommends candidates for judges to the prime minister.
Under the Federal Constitution, the King is the one who appoints judges in Malaysia’s top courts, based on the prime minister’s advice and after consulting the Conference of Rulers.
The Conference of Rulers is expected to meet from this Tuesday to Thursday.
Law Minister Azalina Othman Said has said that the Cabinet assures that the vacancies for the two highest-ranked posts in the judiciary will be filled according to the Federal Constitution and the relevant laws.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-bar-lawyers-march-walk-judiciary-independence-nurul-izzah-anwar-5237301
