PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reiterated that he has never interfered in the affairs of the judiciary, including the appointment of judges or any court decisions, since taking over the country’s administration.
He stated that the process of judicial appointments must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Constitution and established jurisdiction.
“For more than two and a half years (as Prime Minister), I have never interfered in (judicial appointments) or court decisions.
“What is important is that we adhere to the process stipulated in the Federal Constitution,” he told reporters after performing the Friday prayers at Surau Ar-Rahim here today.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Malaysian Bar’s intention to organise a peaceful assembly and march this Monday (July 14), Anwar said that it was the decision of the organisers.
However, he said the issue of judicial independence that was raised has already been explained by the Attorney General (Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar), the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) (Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said), and even the Yang di-Pertuan Agong himself.
The Prime Minister said that if there were proposals to change the mechanism for judicial appointments, it would need to be done through amendments to the Federal Constitution.
“For this area (judicial appointments), we follow the process that has been practised all this time (Federal Constitution),” he said.
The Malaysian Bar was previously reported to be planning a peaceful assembly and march scheduled to start from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister’s Office here, to submit a memorandum regarding judicial appointments. – BERNAMA
