Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is facing mounting pressure from within his party over a growing crisis in Malaysia’s judiciary, triggered by the failure to appoint replacements for the country’s top judges.
The retirement of Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Court of Appeal President Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim on July 2 and 3 respectively has left a vacuum, prompting speculation of a standoff between the government and the Judicial Appointments Committee (JAC).
On Monday (Jul 7), former Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli led eight PKR MPs in demanding a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the situation, and called on the Prime Minister to explain himself before a parliamentary select committee on human rights and institutional reform.
The group’s open challenge to Anwar is unprecedented, highlighting internal fractures in Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and raising concerns of political interference in the judiciary.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said Tuesday that all appointments were made according to the Federal Constitution and denied any constitutional crisis.
Legal sources say tensions have been brewing for months, especially over succession planning and alleged attempts to elevate junior candidates, including former Attorney General Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh, to top judicial roles, moves reportedly resisted by some in the JAC.
A mid-May JAC meeting, described as tense, has become a flashpoint after Terrirudin was reportedly summoned to answer conduct-related questions. His chambers later lodged a police report after media queries referencing the session.
The Bar Council is now calling for the disclosure of JAC meeting minutes, intensifying scrutiny.
In the interim, Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Mohamed Hashim is serving as acting Chief Justice, and Zabariah Yusof as acting President of the Court of Appeal, but lawyers say the temporary appointments only delay deeper issues.
A critical JAC meeting is set for Wednesday, ahead of the Conference of Rulers’ session later this month.
“If no consensus is reached, it will confirm that the government and JAC are at odds,” said a senior partner of a top legal firm.
The unfolding turmoil comes as Anwar faces other challenges, economic pressures from the recent SST hike, internal rifts in PKR following Nurul Izzah Anwar’s victory over Rafizi for deputy president, and sliding approval ratings.
Analysts warn that the judiciary row could deal the biggest blow yet to Anwar’s political standing.
CNA
