
Bersih supports Malaysia's new top judges appointment
The group highlighted the importance of maintaining public trust in the judiciary.
Bersih's steering committee noted Wan Ahmad Farid's past recusal from cases involving political figures, such as former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as a positive step toward judicial neutrality.
'Such a stance is vital to ensure that the public respects the judiciary as a body that upholds the principle of legal sovereignty,' the committee said in a statement.
The other appointees include Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as President of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak.
Their appointments follow Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, with approval from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and consultation with the Conference of Rulers.
The judges will receive their official letters and take their oaths before His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim at Istana Negara on July 28, 2025.
Bersih urged Wan Ahmad Farid to avoid actions that could undermine public confidence in judicial independence.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Borneo Post
10 hours ago
- Borneo Post
PM: No immunity in Zara's death probe
Anwar speaking at the closing ceremony of the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day 2025. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 3): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has declared that no individual implicated in the death of 13-year-old student Zara Qairina Mahathir will receive protection, regardless of rank or title. He has directed Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to ensure the probe is conducted swiftly and comprehensively. 'There was a death recently, and the Education Minister (Fadhlina Sidek) is being attacked and accused of various things. What has become of our country? This death is not a trivial matter,' he said during his speech at the closing ceremony of the National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day 2025 here on Sunday. Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and his deputy Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup. Anwar also reminded the public not to make speculations or accusations without evidence, emphasising that Malaysia is a nation founded on the rule of law. 'This is a nation of law, not slander. Whoever is involved in a criminal act such as murder will not be protected,' Anwar said. 'Death is not something to be taken lightly. Even if there is a child of a poor farmer from Kundasang, if there is a death, it would be our responsibility to find out the cause.' Anwar said that whoever are involved in murders and crimes — a Tan Sri, a Datuk Seri or a minister — they will not be given any protection. 'But do not slander others, whether it's a minister's child or deputy prime minister's child. What is happening with this slander without proof?' Zara Qairina, 13, was believed to have fallen from the third floor and was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar, Sabah, at 4 am on July 16. She was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital here on July 17. The student's death quickly went viral, sparking widespread public reaction on social media. On Saturday, Mohd Khalid said the investigation paper regarding Zara Qairina's death had been completed and would be submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers for further action. Police have recorded statements from 60 witnesses, including students and staff of SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan, and three individuals nicknamed 'Kak Wana,' 'Kak Dedeng,' and 'Tomboi' who were cited in social media rumors. The probe focuses on two angles: the cause of death (including possible bullying) and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigation papers are now with Bukit Aman for review before submission to the Attorney General's Chambers. The Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Musa Aman, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mustapha Sakmud, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Ali and Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun have refuted claims of their families' involvement of the case. Zara's mother, Noraidah Lamat, has distanced herself from viral claims linking her daughter's death to VIPs. Her lawyers clarified she 'never mentioned any high-profile individual' and urged the public to stop spreading unverified allegations . Police confirmed no evidence ties VIPs to the case.


Borneo Post
12 hours ago
- Borneo Post
TYT Sarawak honoured by inaugural bencher recognition from nation's legal fraternity
Wan Junaidi accepts the plaque from ICM president Tun Arifin Zakaria (right), witnessed by ICM Exco Sarawak Tan Kee Heng, who is also the event's organising chairman. — Information Department photo KUCHING (Aug 3): Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has been formally inducted as the first Honorary Bencher of the Inns of Court Malaysia (ICM). The recognition signifies his contributions to the legal fraternity in the country. 'Thank you to all of those who are involved in giving me this honour of being the first bencher for the ICM. 'I feel humbled by the recognition that you gave me,' he said in his special address delivered during the ICM Grand Dining 2025, held in conjunction with the inaugural benching ceremony at a hotel here on Saturday night. Adding on, Wan Junaidi reflected on his time in public office, particularly his 13-month tenure as Minister in Prime Minister's Department in charge of Parliament and law, during which he successfully amended the Federal Constitution three times – a feat he described as 'unprecedented'. 'It never before been done. 'It was historical in a sense because the law that I brought to Parliament would require amending the Constitution to make it effective,' he said. Among the amendments was the enactment of the anti-defection law, also known as the 'Anti-Hopping Law'. In this regard, Wan Junaidi said he had insisted that the provision be embedded in the Federal Constitution to ensure its legal permanence and resistance to political changes. 'Even though the government actually proposed that it must be the Act of Parliament, I wanted it to be more permanent in a sense, so it could not be amended by a simple majority in Parliament. 'So I advised the government that I must amend the constitution so that it would require the two-thirds majority under Article 159.' Under Article 159(3) of the Federal Constitution, any Bill seeking to amend the Constitution – unless specifically exempted – must be passed in both the Dewan Rakyat (Lower House) and Dewan Negara (Upper House, or Senate) with the support of not less than two-thirds of the total number of members. The second amendment, he said, was to formally recognise the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in the Constitution. 'While MA63 has long been cited in public discourse, I have observed that many lack a clear understanding of its content. 'The Agreement itself, signed on the July 9, 1963, comprises two pages and two clauses. 'Still, it also involved other documents like the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and Cobbold Commission Report – all part and parcel of the whole documentation that became the treaty between Great Britain and Malaya for the formation of Malaysia,' he elaborated. Wan Junaidi added that because MA63 had not been incorporated into the Constitution, it could not serve as a valid basis for Sarawak and Sabah to negotiate with the federal government over the fulfilment of the terms set out in the Agreement. 'So for the last 58 years, we never got anything, for reasons that the treaty was never recognised by the Constitution.' This, he pointed out, was also followed by an amendment to Article 161A of the Constitution, which reverted the power to determine native status to the Sarawak government. At the federal level, Wan Junaidi was hailed as the driving force behind efforts to revive the Parliamentary Services Act, aimed at restoring Parliament's institutional independence following its repeal in 1992. 'That was the reason why it was, the reason, the regularity of my action in amending the constitution during that time,' said the Sarawak's Head of State. Honorary Bencher lead legal fraternity Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar


The Sun
13 hours ago
- The Sun
MADANI govt boosts farmers, breeders & fishermen welfare
KUALA LUMPUR: The Madani government remains committed to uplifting farmers, breeders, and fishermen through strategic support and empowerment, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced. Highlighting their pivotal role in national food security, he stressed the need for federal-state synergy to advance modern agriculture and the blue economy. 'I emphasised the need for strong synergy between the Federal Government, state governments and relevant agencies in strategically focusing on the development of the modern agricultural sector and the blue economy for the people's wellbeing and environmental sustainability,' Anwar said in a Facebook post. Reflecting on his tenure as Agriculture Minister four decades ago, he noted the enduring resilience of these groups. 'That experience shaped a deep understanding of the hardship and resilience of farmers, breeders and fishermen who serve as the backbone of national food security.' Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the government aims to enhance agrofood productivity and rural competitiveness. Anwar, also Finance Minister, added, 'The MADANI Government is committed to ensuring that every agricultural policy, programme and aid initiative is implemented comprehensively and effectively.' - Bernama