Latest news with #Malaysian Bar
Free Malaysia Today
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Mechanisms to probe judges exist under constitution, says Azalina
Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said judicial independence is vital to maintaining public confidence in the justice system. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The government today reminded all parties that the Federal Constitution outlines clear mechanisms for dealing with judicial misconduct amid concerns over judicial interference and integrity. Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said Articles 125(3) and (4) empower the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to establish a special tribunal to investigate allegations of misconduct against judges, on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice. She said additional safeguards are provided under Article 125(3A), which allows the chief justice to refer breaches of ethics to the Judicial Ethics Committee, and Article 125(3B), which supports a written code of conduct, currently the Judges' Code of Ethics 2009. 'This framework ensures that the judiciary remains free from political or external influence, thereby upholding the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law,' Azalina said in a statement today. 'The executive and legislature have no power to interfere in issues of judicial ethics. This is essential to maintain public trust in the justice system.' Azalina said the government acknowledged the concerns raised by the Malaysian Bar during yesterday's judicial independence march and pledged to address them transparently and in accordance with the law. She said the Bar would be invited to contribute to an ongoing comparative study on judicial appointments, led by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department, together with select committees from the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara. 'Furthermore, the concerns raised by the Malaysian Bar must be examined in accordance with the Federal Constitution, the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) Act 2009, and all other applicable laws,' she 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. Police are investigating the alleged leak of the JAC meeting minutes under the Official Secrets Act and two other laws.
Free Malaysia Today
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
It's up to the Bar, says Anwar on judicial independence walk
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for all parties to follow the process and constitutional provisions that have been in place all this while. (Bernama pic) PUTRAJAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has no issues with the Malaysian Bar's plan to hold a peaceful walk next Monday to call for a royal commission of inquiry into judicial appointments and alleged interference in the judiciary. Anwar said it was the Bar's right to hold the gathering, but maintained that the attorney-general and Istana Negara had already touched on the issue. 'Let us follow the process and constitutional provisions that we have been practising all this while,' he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Surau Ar-Rahim here. Anwar again welcomed proposals to amend the constitutional provisions, but maintained that he has never interfered in the court's affairs as prime minister. 'As I have already said, for the past two-and-a-half years, I have never interfered with the court's decisions.' Bar members will gather at the Palace of Justice on July 14 at 2pm to walk to the Prime Minister's Office and hand over a memorandum. The Attorney-General's Chambers had rejected calls for an RCI and a parliamentary committee to investigate alleged irregularities in judicial appointments, saying the situation did not amount to a constitutional crisis. Yesterday, Istana Negara warned against politicising the appointment of top judges, saying this process must be handled carefully, with integrity and in line with the Federal Constitution. The palace said the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2009 only outlined the process of selecting candidates for judicial appointments, while the authority to advise the king was solely the prime minister's. Separately, Anwar played down calls for Najib Razak to be allowed to serve the remainder of his prison sentence under house arrest, after the attorney-general confirmed the existence of a royal addendum authorising it. He said the matter was in court and all parties should allow the legal process to run its course.
