Calls for probe into judicial interference claims in alleged JAC minutes
PETALING JAYA : Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and former deputy law minister Ramkarpal Singh have separately called for an investigation into allegations of abuse of power and judicial interference, following the alleged leak of minutes from a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting.
In a Facebook post, Muhyiddin said that if the allegations were true, they could compromise a person's fundamental right to a fair trial.
'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,' the Perikatan Nasional chairman said.
A document allegedly containing excerpts from a JAC meeting held in May went viral on social media last weekend, raising concerns from various parties.
The extract of the purported minutes said that the former chief justice had raised concerns about the integrity of a candidate for an administrative post in the judiciary.
Claims were made 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 differing view.
Muhyiddin said that if these claims were true, the appointment of the judge would violate Section 23(2)(a) of the JAC Act 2009 on judicial integrity.
He said concern would grow if a judge with unresolved integrity issues was promoted to a higher position in the judiciary.
Police have launched an investigation into the alleged leak of the JAC meeting minutes under the Official Secrets Act and two other laws.
'Extreme caution' in next judicial appointments
Meanwhile, Ramkarpal said that the prime minister should exercise extreme caution in advising the king on upcoming judicial appointments, given the gravity of the allegations in the purported minutes.
He also said that the judge named in the minutes should not be considered for any top posts unless cleared of wrongdoing by a full investigation.
'If the said judge is found to have committed wrongdoing as a result of such investigations, his or her integrity would be seriously in doubt,' the Bukit Gelugor MP said in a statement.
'The position demands a thorough and transparent investigation, and anything less can result in a serious loss of confidence in the Madani government, which should be avoided,' he said.
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