Latest news with #NurulIzzah
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Ramasamy: Nurul Izzah should ask her dad to resign as PM if she truly believes in saving judiciary
IT IS well and good for PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar to attend yesterday's (July 14) Malaysian Bar rally in Putrajaya to call for an independent 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 .
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
‘Restore trust in our judiciary'
PUTRAJAYA: Hundreds of lawyers marched from the Palace of Justice (POJ) to the Prime Minister's Office complex here in a gathering aimed at defending the independence of the judiciary. Organised by the Malaysian Bar, the 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' was held to express concern over the vacancies for top posts and other senior judicial roles in the Federal Court, particularly at the High Court level. Many lawyers, dressed in their chambers attire, gathered alongside individuals believed to be from NGOs, arrived as early as 12.30pm. Police presence was minimal, but marshals – believed to be part of the Bar Council – monitored the march. An ambulance was also stationed near the Palace of Justice. At around 2pm, Bar president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab led the procession. Notable figures in attendance included former attorney general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas and PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar, alongside other prominent lawyers. Mohamad Ezri told reporters that at the end of the walk, the Bar has submitted a memorandum to the PMO calling for urgent reforms to safeguard judicial independence. The memorandum was handed over to the director-general of the Legal Affairs Division (BHEUU) Datuk Zamri Misman, who was present to receive it. Calls for transparency: Lawyers participating in the 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' in Putrajaya. — ART CHEN/The Star 'I have handed over our memorandum to the director-general of BHEUU Datuk Zamri Misman, who was ready and waiting in the room earlier, and he has acknowledged receipt of the memorandum,' Ezri said. Meanwhile, Nurul Izzah called for an investigation into allegations of judicial interference and the leak of what is believed to be confidential minutes from a recent Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting. 'It is important that these allegations be investigated to restore trust in our judiciary,' said Nurul Izzah, the daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in a statement. 'Investigations can commence under Article 125 of the Federal Constitution through the establishment of an independent tribunal comprising at least five senior judges,' she said. She said such action would go a long way in preserving faith in the system, adding that the judiciary, executive and legislature exists to keep one another in check by ensuring no single branch operates without accountability. 'Today, we exercise the right to peaceful assembly guaranteed by the constitution and upheld by the Prime Minister. 'In the spirit of reform and justice, which are the foundations of Keadilan, we need to improve the existing structure by making it more transparent. 'An independent judiciary is the essential bulwark against overreach by the executive, the Cabinet, and the government as a whole,' she said. Nurul Izzah added that court decisions censure Parliament if and when laws which are oppressive and unconstitutional are introduced. 'Bearing all this in mind, the most crucial thing in an independent judicial system is the lack of interference from internal or external forces. 'As such, persons appointed as the Chief Justice of Malaya; President of the Court of Appeal; the Chief Judge of Malaya; and the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak must not only be capable but also be of the highest moral integrity to carry out the job,' she said. Currently, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim is assuming the responsibility and duties of the Chief Justice, while Federal Court judge Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof, similarly, is taking over the tasks and responsibilities of the Court of Appeal President. On Sunday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the appointment of a new chief justice to head the judiciary will be decided only after the next Conference of Rulers scheduled for July 15-17. Police have also launched an investigation into the alleged leak and dissemination of what is believed to be confidential minutes from a JAC meeting.
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Unexpected guest at lawyers' march, Nurul Izzah, gets roasted as 'drama queen seeking cheap publicity'
NEWLY elected PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar was trolled for 'good family acting' after she joined some 400 lawyers in their 2.6-km march from the Palace of Justice (POJ) to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) complex in Putrajaya yesterday (July 14). Unfazed with her justification that her participation reflected her concern on the need to defend the integrity of the nation's judicial institution, detractors seemed to regard her action as opportunistic when she has 'all the access in the world to reach out to her father to convey her grievances'. 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐍 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐈 𝐊𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐍 Saya turut bersama-sama Majlis Peguam Malaysia berarak bagi mempertahankan salah satu tiang utama demokrasi kita – kebebasan badan kehakiman. Saya pernah bersuara ketika Kerajaan PN mencabul demokrasi dengan menutup Dewan Rakyat.… — Nurul Izzah Anwar 🇲🇾 🌺 (@n_izzah) July 14, 2025 'So, she against his father? 😂 Nice joke,' quipped a commenter to a Facebook (FB) footage by The Star with another chipping in 'Aiyooo … just talk to your father la … very best actor la you all, like father like daughter'. Over at the Berita Harian FB page, the trolling was even more intense with one commenter wondering 'how could people still be supporting the parti wayang anak-beranak (literally, 'family acting party') with some contending that the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sent by her father as 'a spy'. While some poked fun at her for daring to oppose her father who is also the PKR president, others teased her for 'not inviting her father to tag along'. An amusing meme of Nurul Izzah's participation in yesterday's walk was that from former UMNO supreme council member Isham Jalil who felt inspired to turn the event into a 'box office movie'. 'It starred Yuyul Jijah. This is the sequel to Ajam Becki's never-ending story,' penned Isham who was fired from UMNO on Dec 7, 2023 for disagreeing to cooperate with DAP in elections. Editor's Note: Nurul Izzah had on May 16 volunteered to submit objection over the third contract extension of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) head honcho Tan Sri Azam Baki to PMX. She has not furnished any update since then. On a serious note, the Malaysian Bar president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab has personally handed over the memorandum on safeguarding judicial independence to Datuk Zamri Misman who is the director-general of the Legal Affairs Division at the PMO. In a nutshell, the 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' can be described as successful for it was attended by members of the Bar, chambers and concerned members of the public. Even human rights activist and lawyer Siti Kasim who has been unwell made it a point to participate in the event. 'Ready to walk the talk!! In the bus waiting to be transported to POJ. Uphold the independence of our judiciary!! 💪💪' she penned on her FB page. Highlighting specific concerns raised in the memorandum, Ezri pointed out the alarming judicial vacancies. 'Among the matters raised is the need to fill the existing vacancies in the judiciary … We were informed that some cases have been scheduled as far ahead as the year 2030, and this will disrupt the functioning of the courts and negatively affect clients,' he added. – July 15, 2025
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Street protests aren't enough – Nurul Izzah must defend judicial independence from within
As concerned youth leaders and citizens, Selangor MCA Youth is compelled to speak out against what we believe is political theatre that undermines rather than advances the cause of judicial independence. We refer to PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's participation in the recent "Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence" protest organised by the Malaysian Bar. While we respect the right of every Malaysian to voice their concerns, we find it questionable that someone of her position – both as the deputy president of the ruling party and the daughter of the Prime Minister – chooses to make her stand via a street demonstration. It should be highlighted that Nurul Izzah is not an opposition MP, nor an ordinary citizen. Wielding the second-highest post in PKR, Nurul has direct access to the top leadership, including her father, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. With such influence, shouldn't she be addressing these issues internally – within her party, her Cabinet, or even at her own dinner table? Are Nurul Izzah's actions a carefully choreographed political performance to appease public sentiment while avoiding real internal accountability? Or do they point to a breakdown of trust and communication within PKR and among her own family members? If the deputy president of a ruling party feels the need to protest against her own party leader and father in public, it raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of internal dialogue in PKR. Has internal communication completely broken down? Is there no space left for honest discourse within the party ranks? If Nurul Izzah is truly sincere in upholding judicial independence, then surely the proper course of action would be to speak up through institutional channels – the party platform, Cabinet committees or even directly to the Prime Minister himself. To jolt PKR's memory: Their party once recommended disciplinary action against Rafizi Ramli for internal dissent. Now that the deputy president herself is protesting publicly against her party's numero uno, will PKR apply the same standards? Or has political protest against one's own party become the new acceptable form of expression? The rakyat isn't looking for drama or street performances. Malaysians desire meaningful reform, transparency, and genuine political accountability. Selangor MCA Youth calls on PKR and the Prime Minister to formally respond to the four demands issued by the Malaysian Bar and to state clearly the party's stance on alleged executive interference in the judiciary. Silence is no longer an option. TAN JIE SEN MCA Youth central committee member, Selangor MCA Youth chief
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Nurul Izzah urges probe into alleged judicial interference, JAC leak
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has called for a thorough investigation into allegations of judicial interference and the reported leak of confidential minutes from a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting. "These allegations must be investigated transparently to restore public confidence in the judicial institution," she said in a statement shared during the Malaysian Bar's march in defence of judicial independence in Putrajaya today. She said that recent developments — including police reports and the alleged leak of JAC minutes — had heightened public concern and must not be dismissed. "An independent judiciary is essential to prevent abuse of power by the government, cabinet, and executive," she said, stressing the need to uphold the system of checks and balances between the judiciary, executive, and legislature. Nurul Izzah also called for the establishment of a tribunal under Article 125 of the Federal Constitution, comprising at least five senior judges, to examine the matter. She said that top judicial appointments must be based not only on qualifications but also on the highest standards of moral integrity. Citing historical episodes such as the dismissal of former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and the VK Lingam scandal, she described them as painful reminders of the consequences of undermining judicial independence. Reaffirming her support for an impartial judiciary, she said: "We are exercising our constitutional right to peaceful assembly — a right that is supported by the Prime Minister." "In the spirit of reform and justice, we must strengthen our institutions to ensure they are more transparent and accountable." Earlier today, over a thousand participants in the Malaysian Bar's march for judicial independence arrived at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), where they handed over a memorandum to the Legal Affairs Division. The 2.6km march began at the Palace of Justice and saw strong turnout from the legal fraternity and public figures alike. Among those present were Nurul Izzah, Kota Baru MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hasan, Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, and former Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Rais Yatim.
