14-07-2025
Tensions between judiciary and executive brewing since last year
SHAH ALAM - Former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli hinted that there have been signs of friction between the judiciary and the executive when matters concerning the judiciary were discussed in the Cabinet over the past year.
Rafizi said the situation suggested a tendency towards conflict, raising concerns over possible interference by the executive branch in the country's judicial institution.
The Pandan MP said the tone of Cabinet discussions a year ago reminded him of the 1988 judicial crisis, when the judiciary faced intense pressure from the executive.
"I still remember the feeling and thought, maybe this is how it all began in 1988, when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was behind the suspension and eventual dismissal of the then Lord President Tun Mohamed Salleh Abas and several senior judges.
"Secondly, as a Member of Parliament and former minister, many of us have friends who are lawyers and judges. And there are two or three major cases expected to emerge in the next two to three years.
"And when I mention major cases, the opposition will say those cases involve the Prime Minister. In truth, what many don't know is that the real cases I refer to involve the elite, the ultra-wealthy individuals whom Anwar (the Prime Minister) often criticises. These are the same groups involved in the VK Lingam case.
"My concern is that the same group of individuals have vested interests in reshaping the judiciary in a way that, when their big cases are heard, they will win," he said.
He was speaking at the Public Forum: Judicial Integrity hosted by Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh at the University of Malaya Alumni Association Clubhouse (PAUM) on Sunday. Public Forum: Judicial Integrity hosted by Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh held at the University of Malaya Alumni Association Clubhouse (PAUM) on Sunday.
Other panelists included Subang MP Wong Chen, lawyer Lim Wei Jiet, Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz, Co-Chair of the Constitutional Law Committee of the Bar Council Gregory Dass and Commonwealth Lawyers Association President Steven Thiru.
In the same development, Rafizi suggested that the government should not proceed with appointing a senior judge allegedly linked to judicial interference, as a step to ease tensions and restore public trust in the judiciary.
He said the easiest way for the government to resolve the current crisis is to halt the controversial appointment.
This action, he said. would allow space for all parties to address constitutional and legal issues more comprehensively without eroding public confidence.
Rafizi also warned that failure to act swiftly could negatively impact Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the government as a whole.
He said the outspoken voices among PH MPs raising this issue are not trying to sabotage the government but are merely issuing early warnings for appropriate action to be taken.
"(Anwar) only needs to do the right thing and the right thing is to ensure that if a judge has already been questioned, remove him from the nomination process.
"Go through the proper process, whether it involves investigation or following the required procedures, just do the right thing. I think people won't be too angry," he added.
Rafizi stressed that if the right action is taken now, there is still time to regain public support for PH ahead of the next general election.
However, he also cautioned that if the issue is allowed to drag on, PH risks losing the core support of the urban middle class, which was instrumental in the coalition's previous election victories.
