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Focus Malaysia
a day ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
PAS rallies against Anwar amid reform stalemate
POLITICAL analyst Roslan Shahir criticised calls for Malaysians to help Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, describing it as a desperate move showing growing public rejection of his leadership. Roslan referred to Prof Wong Chin Huat's article in Sinar Harian in which he urges support for Anwar. PAS is seizing on the judicial crisis fiasco to rally its supporters and the wider public ahead of the planned mass protest on July 26 at Dataran Merdeka. The party hopes that a large turnout will drive home their message: that Anwar's leadership is losing public support. On the other hand, backing the PAS move, Roslan said Anwar has failed to fulfil election promises and his reform agenda was merely to gain power, as issues like corruption, cronyism, and rising living costs remain unresolved. Roslan stated that people have lost faith in Anwar and pledged support for the upcoming protest, declaring it the true voice of the people demanding leadership change. He made these remarks in response to Prof Wong Chin Huat's warning that if Anwar fails to implement governance reforms, such as ensuring judicial independence, he risks losing public support to Perikatan Nasional, which is portraying itself as a cleaner and more credible alternative. In this article, Prof Wong Chin Huat uses an old Cold War joke to illustrate that truths are often hidden as state secrets. He discusses the recent controversy over leaked minutes from the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting, which allegedly showed a judge with misconduct issues still being proposed as Chief Judge of Malaya. Prof Wong argued that if investigations are for spreading false information, it would prove the judiciary is clean. But if they focus on leaking state secrets, it implies the allegation is true. He stressed that Anwar and his government should use this crisis to strengthen judicial independence rather than punish whistleblowers. Wong suggested tightening the JAC Act so judge appointments are truly determined by the JAC, not by the PM. He frames the PM's role as similar to a 'postman' conveying recommendations to the King, which would not diminish his dignity but instead uphold judicial freedom under Anwar's Madani government. He further highlighted that Anwar's daughter, Nurul Izzah's presence at the Bar Council's 'March for Justice' signals that Anwar might be ready to reinforce judicial integrity. Prof Wong ends by urging Anwar's loyalists to listen to reform voices within his coalition, like Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, instead of attacking them, concluding: 'If you love Anwar, then help him raise the flag of reform high and proud. Reform does not necessarily need Anwar, but Anwar certainly needs reform.' — July 19, 2025
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh JAC Amaravati welcomes revival of Monthly Grievance Day for employees
The Andhra Pradesh JAC Amaravati has welcomed the State government's decision to reinstate the Monthly Grievance Day initiative to address employee concerns at both the department (HOD) and district collectorate levels. In a statement issued on Thursday, A.P. JAC leaders Bopparaju Venkateswarlu and Palisetti Damodara Rao recalled that employee grievances were largely ignored during the previous administration. This prompted the JAC to launch a 92-day statewide agitation, which culminated in the issuance of Government Order Rt. No. 1233, dated June 24, 2023, mandating the conduct of Grievance Day on the third Friday of every month across all departments and districts. However, the JAC pointed out that the initiative had not been implemented uniformly across the State. In response, the JAC escalated the matter to the Chief Secretary at the Chief Minister's Office on December 5, 2024. The issue was subsequently forwarded to the General Administration Department (GAD) via CMP Note No. 709/Prl Secy/(MRC1)/2024, dated January 6, 2025. Following this intervention, the GAD issued a memo on July 6, 2025 (Memo No. GAD01/SWODMDS/4/2025-SW), reaffirming that Grievance Day must be held regularly and that all pending employee issues should be resolved within a specified timeframe. Departments have been instructed to conduct fortnightly reviews of complaints and ensure strict adherence to the original 2023 guidelines.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Fahmi: PM clarifies judicial appointments, urges party unity
SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on all parties, including those within PKR who may no longer share the same views, to "move on" after issues concerning judicial appointments were addressed. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said this following a closed-door meeting between Anwar and PKR members and leaders today. When asked about the essence of the prime minister's message, Fahmi said several matters were clarified, including those related to judicial appointments, which he said had been resolved, with earlier allegations proven baseless. "On the appointment of the Chief Justice, the prime minister said that all the slander and accusations that had been circulating have now been answered. The appointment process followed what is stated in the Federal Constitution. "The names submitted were those recommended by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). There were no names outside of this list, and the process was in full compliance with the JAC Act and Article 122B of the Constitution," he said. Fahmi also dismissed allegations of interference in judicial appointments, adding that Anwar had welcomed criticisms raised by non-governmental organisations (NGOs). "In fact, most responses, including that from the Bar Council, were positive and served as a reminder that this is not just about appointments but about strengthening the reform process and institutional integrity," he said. Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said all parties should embrace the prime minister's advice and suggestions, especially on reconciliation. "We must be at peace, act with integrity and remain united because this party is our family, our home, and we must protect it, especially now that the internal elections are over," he said. In a related development, PKR Youth deputy chief and Kota Damansara assemblyman Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim said the prime minister also addressed several matters during the meeting, including the controversy surrounding the Chief Justice's appointment, which he said had been blown out of proportion. "The prime minister reminded members and voters not to be swayed by the opposition's narrative. "The issues being raised stem from individuals with poor track records in the judiciary. He (Anwar) made it clear to members not to be influenced, because when the truth comes out, there's really nothing there," he said.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Prime Minister outlines judiciary appointment process, denies interference
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed claims that certain individuals were sidelined in the appointment of Malaysia's new Chief Justice, saying no such names were ever proposed through official channels. 'When the Sultan of Selangor asked me about that name, I made it clear. I never proposed it,' he said after Friday prayers at Surau Al Istiqlal, Precinct 14. 'I haven't dismissed any judges. I haven't referred anyone to a tribunal. I haven't interfered with any court decisions. 'I haven't given orders to the Chief Justice or Court of Appeal judges. None of that has happened,' he said. Anwar said the appointments were conducted in line with constitutional procedures beginning with the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). 'The process began with the JAC, which submitted its recommendations to me. I reviewed the names, and they were then presented to the Chief Justice and subsequently referred to the Conference of Malay Rulers,' he said. He added that he also consulted the Sultan of Selangor, who chaired the most recent Conference of Rulers. 'This demonstrates that the process was properly followed and that we are abiding by Article 122B of the Federal Constitution,' he said. Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid has been appointed as Malaysia's new Chief Justice and is scheduled to be sworn in before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on July 28. Other key appointments include Datuk Bakar Jais as President of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Seri Azizah Nawawi as High Court Judge for Sabah and Sarawak. Anwar also acknowledged Tan Sri Hasnah Hashim,who had been serving as Chief Judge of Malaya and temporarily carried out the Chief Justice's duties, and is expected to retire soon. 'This reflects a clear mandate, and God willing, they will carry out their duties with integrity,' Anwar said. He added that eight judges had been appointed to the Court of Appeal and 14 to the High Court, with all names already consented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. He also clarified that delays in publicly announcing some of the appointments were procedural in nature. 'If we exercised more wisdom and patience, and left politics out of this, none of this would have escalated,' he said.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Judicial independence must continue under Wan Ahmad Farid, say PKR MPs
KUALA LUMPUR: Nine PKR members of parliament have expressed hope that the judiciary, under newly appointed Chief Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, will continue efforts to strengthen judicial independence. In a statement, they outlined five key issues that the judiciary must address following the appointment of its new leadership. This includes finalising the appointments of judges to fill 31 vacancies as soon as possible to prevent disruptions to the administration of justice, and ensuring that judicial appointments are truly based on merit and seniority, in fairness to long-serving judges who have upheld the integrity and reputation of the judiciary. "(They must also) ensure that judicial appointments follow the proper process under the Federal Constitution and the Judicial Appointments Commission Act (JAC), so that appointments are made based on merit and seniority; "(This also includes) ensuring that there is no interference in the selection, control, or influence of judicial appointments that contradict the principles of judicial independence, the Federal Constitution, the JAC Act, or procedural rules that must be followed to ensure that the process is merit-based and fair to judges. "(They must also) resolve the issues raised in previous JAC meetings, including follow-up actions to investigate allegations of attempts to influence judicial decisions made against a Federal Court judge," they said. The nine MPs are Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Puchong MP Wong Chen, Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail, Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan, Balik Pulau MP Datuk Bakhtiar Wan Chik, Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, Sungai Siput MP S Kesavan and Batu Pahat MP Onn Abu Bakar. They had also previously called for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate what they claimed were alleged irregularities in the appointment of senior judges, including the Chief Justice. They had also expressed intentions to formally request that proceedings and an inquiry be conducted by the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reform, including top government officials to testify. They said the announcement that Wan Ahmad Farid has been appointed as the new Chief Justice has somewhat eased public concerns about issues related to judicial independence. Together with the appointment of Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as President of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, they said, it completes the current leadership of the judiciary. "The initial reaction to Wan Ahmad Farid's appointment has been mixed, given his background as a former Umno leader and his perception as being junior compared to some other judges. "We hope that, as the new Chief Justice, Wan Ahmad Farid will accept these diverse views openly. "These should serve as a guide and motivation to prove that his leadership will better uphold the independence of the judiciary, surpassing the outstanding record of Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who previously held the position," they said. They added that the recent turmoil over judicial leadership appointments highlights the need for reforms to further strengthen the judicial appointment process to prevent such issues from recurring. Meanwhile, they also expressed hope that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would not consider the matter fully resolved as long as improvements to the judicial appointment process are not presented to the public and implemented. They outlined several proposals for the government to take into account. This includes the proposal to improve the Prime Minister's power to reject nominations from the JAC, ensuring this power is limited and that the Prime Minister provides official reasons (either to the JAC or Parliament) for rejecting a candidate already screened by the JAC. This also includes a proposal to automatically appoint representatives from the legal bodies of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak to the JAC, thus reducing the Prime Minister's power to appoint the majority of JAC members as is currently the case. "(This includes) a proposal for Parliament to be involved in confirming JAC nominations before they are brought to the Prime Minister, either in the form of confirmation hearings as in other countries, or through a parliamentary vote, with a voting mechanism to be determined later. They said they would continue to monitor these matters.
