Ramasamy: Nurul Izzah should ask her dad to resign as PM if she truly believes in saving judiciary
She justified her attendance on the grounds that she too wants an independent judiciary and that she had attended other rallies in the past when she was in the opposition.
But the question foremost in my mind – and in the minds of fellow Malaysians – is not about her attendance at opposition rallies in the past but why did she attend the rally when her father Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is the Prime Minister (PM) of the day.
Even if she does not hold any government position, she is the No. 2 in PKR after having defeated incumbent Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli in the recent PKR central leadership polls.
If everything goes well, she is most likely to succeed her father as the PM of the country.
Rather than trying to influence her father to do what is necessary for the maintenance of an independent and responsible judiciary, she chose instead to participate in a rally that is in stark opposition to the government in general and Anwar in particular.
Sincerity of intention
Is she telling the public that she opposes Anwar's interference in the judiciary ? If this is the case, then she should resign from her present position as the deputy president of PKR as well as from any other position she might hold in the government.
It serves no purpose to take part in a rally that directly opposes the actions of Anwar who is being targeted as both the PM and the individual responsible for the weakening of judicial independence – something which is rather unprecedented in Malaysia's constitutional history.
Alternatively, perhaps Nurul Izzah wants the best of both worlds – being part of the opposition and part of the government. Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy
There is a strong sense that her appearance at the rally was not so much in support of judicial independence but more to soften the blow against her father, the PM.
She understands that the current movement for judicial independence – backed by political parties and civil society – is largely aimed at unseating her father from the PM-ship.
Perhaps, as a dutiful daughter, she wants to subtly correct the public's perception of her father and the government.
But if Nurul Izzah truly believes that the judiciary must be saved, then perhaps the most honest course of action is to ask Anwar to tender his resignation – before the situation grows more serious and unmanageable. – July 15, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia .
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
2 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Anwar has no plans to take action against PKR MPs with differing views
He said the Prime Minister, who is also PKR president, urged party members and branch leaders to respect those differing opinions and move forward together to strengthen the party. 18 Jul 2025 09:12pm PKR communications director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (two, left) during a closed-door meeting between PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR Selangor leaders today. - Photp by Bernama SHAH ALAM - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has no intention of taking action against several Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Members of Parliament (MPs) who have expressed differing views on certain issues, according to PKR communications director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. Speaking to reporters after a closed-door meeting between Anwar and PKR Selangor leaders today, Fahmi said the Prime Minister, who is also PKR president, urged party members and branch leaders to respect those differing opinions and move forward together to strengthen the party. "The Prime Minister has clearly stated that for a few MPs who differ in opinion on certain issues, he does not intend to take any action. They have the right to express their views. "He has also asked all branch chiefs and party members to understand this and move on,' Fahmi said. Fahmi, who is also the Communications Minister, said that at the meeting, Anwar also advised newly elected branch leaders to adopt an inclusive approach when appointing their respective committee members. "The Prime Minister emphasised that even those who lost in the recent party elections or who are not from their own camp should be included as part of a united team for the sake of the party's overall strength,' he said. Additionally, Fahmi said Anwar also informed party leaders that the appointment of State Leadership Council (MPN) Chairs will be finalised before the end of this month and instructed party machinery to start mobilising on the ground in August to boost grassroots support. Prime Minister and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a closed-door meeting with PKR Selangor leaders today. - Photo by Bernama During the meeting, Fahmi said Anwar also addressed recent allegations surrounding the appointment of the new Chief Justice and reiterated that the process strictly adhered to provisions outlined in the Federal Constitution, and that the list of nominees submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Conference of Rulers was prepared by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). "The Prime Minister only advised the King after consultations with the Conference of Rulers. The process fully complied with constitutional procedures,' said Fahmi, adding that Anwar clarified no judges were dismissed in contrast to previous administrations. Fahmi said that Anwar also welcomed criticisms from institutions such as the Malaysian Bar and Bersih regarding the judicial appointments, noting that what matters most is the continued independence of the judiciary. "The Prime Minister stressed that the judiciary must remain free from interference, whether from the legislative or the executive branch,' said Fahmi. Today's meeting, which lasted nearly an hour, was attended by several senior PKR leaders, including vice-presidents Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, PKR Youth Chief Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, and Women's Chief Fadhlina Sidek. - BERNAMA
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
PKR can suspend us but we'll still speak up, says Rafizi
Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and eight other MPs from PKR had called for a public inquiry into delays in the appointment of top judicial positions. PETALING JAYA : Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has fired back at calls to suspend him and eight other MPs from the party for pushing for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) on judicial appointments and alleged interference in the judiciary. Rafizi said suspensions would do nothing to solve the underlying issues and would not deter them from fulfilling their duties as elected representatives. 'This move only reinforces the perception that PKR no longer tolerates dissent, especially when other MPs like Hassan Karim have criticised the prime minister even more harshly in the past, yet faced no consequences,' he said in a post on X. Rafizi also said that the suspensions would reduce PKR's numbers in Parliament to 22, fewer than DAP, Barisan Nasional (BN), and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). PKR currently holds 31 seats in the Dewan Rakyat. The nine MPs that the PKR division chiefs are seeking to suspend are Rafizi (Pandan); Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa); Rodziah Ismail (Ampang); Wong Chen (Subang); Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju); Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau); Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Ledang); S Kesavan (Sungai Siput), and Onn Abu Bakar (Batu Pahat). The group called for the establishment of an RCI and a hearing by a parliamentary select committee following delays in the appointment of the chief justice and Court of Appeal president, which they said amounted to a constitutional crisis. PKR division chiefs said the MPs' actions not only breached party discipline and ethics, but also cast a negative light on the prime minister's leadership and opened the door to political manipulation by rivals. Rafizi today pushed back against the group's critics, reminding them that PKR was built on freedom of speech and activism, not blind loyalty or the silencing of dissent. 'We were once popular with the public because we were the fastest and loudest in championing their issues,' he said. 'That's what we 'old-timers' practised until PKR succeeded in forming the government, opening the door for new leaders, such as these division chiefs, to now hold high positions.'
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Bar welcomes new CJ, calls for stronger judiciary
Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Ahmad Salleh's past actions demonstrate his understanding of the judiciary's role. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Bar and a DAP MP have welcomed the appointment of Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the new chief justice, expressing hope that he will uphold judicial independence. Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said Wan Ahmad Farid's past actions demonstrated his understanding of the judiciary's role, recalling his decision to recuse himself in 2022 from a high-profile case involving former prime minister Najib Razak. 'He remarked that the 'public perception of the independence of the judiciary should not be put in doubt' and that it is not a 'matter of trial and error'. 'He reminded all that an 'independent judiciary is a precious gift to any society'. Once it is lost, anarchy reigns. 'These statements demonstrate a profound understanding of the judiciary's sacred role in upholding the rule of law,' said Ezri. Former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat retired on July 1, while former Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim retired on July 3. Ezri congratulated Abu Bakar Jais on his appointment as Court of Appeal president and Azizah Nawawi as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak. 'We hope that under the stewardship of these new judicial office-bearers, the judiciary will continue to uphold the highest standards of independence, integrity and service to the nation,' he said. However, Ezri added that many 'current critical vacancies remain unfilled across the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal and High Courts'. 'We remain hopeful these remaining vacancies will be filled promptly and transparently, in a manner that reinforces public confidence in the judiciary and strengthens the administration of justice,' he said. Separately, MP Syahredzan Johan urged Wan Ahmad Farid to uphold judicial independence. Noting his previous involvement in politics and his recusal from past cases involving potential conflicts of interest, Syahredzan said Malaysians would hold the new chief justice to his previous principles. 'They will expect the new chief justice to continue recusing himself from hearing cases that may create negative perceptions about the integrity of the judiciary. 'The people have high hopes that Wan Ahmad Farid will continue Tengku Maimun's legacy in ensuring that the judiciary remains free from external interference,' he said.
