“The Malaysian Bar calls on the authorities responsible to immediately announce the course of action — whether it be an extension or an appointment — in accordance with the Constitution and the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) process.”
Malaysia established a JAC in 2009 that proposes qualified judicial candidates to the prime minister, who makes a final decision. His decision is then endorsed by the heads of the country’s royal households who make up the Conference of Rulers.
The JAC Act was meant to ensure that the selection process of judges would be unbiased, but lawyers told CNA previously that, in practice, new appointments often attract intense lobbying by politicians and segments in Malaysia’s royal households.
Anwar on Monday also commented on recent court decisions – namely, the discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) granted to former prime minister Najib Razak in a 1Malaysia Development Berhad-linked case, as well as the acquittal of Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman for graft and money laundering.
Anwar said there was a tendency among the public to judge judicial outcomes based on their political leanings, reported NST.
“In these two cases, I noticed people have differing views,” Anwar said.
“We must understand that there must be wisdom and careful consideration, and there is an independent judiciary in place.
“And it is not my business. Whether I agree or not, my personal opinion is not the issue. We must respect the judges and the decisions they make,” he said.
He did not want a repeat of the legal persecution he faced in the past, he added.
“We must remember to uphold the system, not according to political preferences, not based on group interests, and not under lobbying pressure.”
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-chief-justice-tengku-maimun-retirement-malaysian-bar-anwar-ibrahim-5211686
