No timeframe, but judicial concerns should be settled earliest possible, says Bar
PUTRAJAYA : The Malaysian Bar has called on the government to urgently address concerns over judicial independence and vacancies in the judiciary, but said it was not setting a specific deadline.
Speaking after the Bar's 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister's Office this afternoon, its president, Ezri Abdul Wahab, said the gathering was a reminder to the government that issues plaguing the judiciary must not be ignored.
'We are pleased to announce the success of the walk from the Palace of Justice to the PMO.
'All were united in our call to address the pressing concerns regarding the independence of the judiciary, particularly the ongoing vacancies, the need for institutional continuity, and a more transparent and accountable judicial process,' he told reporters.
Ezri said about 1,600 Bar members had taken part in the walk, showing strong support from the legal community for urgent judicial reforms.
He also said the Bar had submitted a memorandum to legal affairs department director-general Zamri Misman, who received it on behalf of the PMO.
'The director-general said he will deliver the memo to the prime minister,' he said.
Asked about the contents of the memorandum, Ezri said it focused on the critical shortage of judges in the judiciary, which is affecting the administration of justice.
'We also asked for the judicial vacancies to be filled. The ongoing vacancies are worrying, and there are cases fixed as far as 2030. This will cripple court operations and negatively impact litigants,' he said.
Ezri stressed that the Bar was not claiming that the judiciary was no longer independent, but cautioned that recent developments and public discourse may be undermining its integrity.
'We have seen a lot of media statements and talk on social media that could jeopardise the independence of the judiciary. We want that to be settled and are asking the government to resolve it as soon as possible. There is no timeframe,' he said.
He also confirmed that there were no plans for another walk if the concerns raised were not addressed.
'No, this is it. This is just a reminder to the government. If not, other action will follow,' he said, adding that the Bar would discuss its next steps at its extraordinary general meeting on July 26.
Among the notable figures spotted at the rally were former Bar presidents Ambiga Sreenevasan and Karen Cheah, PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, Pendang MP Awang Hashim, former attorney-general Tommy Thomas and former Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim.
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