KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S government introduced a proposal on Monday to form a panel to probe errant judges - part of efforts to reform a judicial system that has been battered by accusations of corruption and nepotism.

Legal activists have said that investigations are rarely held into judges suspected of breaching a formal code of ethics established by the government in mid-1990s.

The code is meant to prevent judges from delaying verdicts unnecessarily, being caught between their private interests and professional duties or behaving in ways that tarnish the reputation of the courts.

De facto Law Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz introduced a proposal in Parliament to set up a committee of top judges who will hold inquiries into any allegations of violations by judges.

The proposal comes less than a week after Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi revealed details of a separate plan for an independent panel to identify and recommend judges to be appointed to high-level courts.

Senior judges are currently selected by the prime minister, though the king formally appoints them. Under the new plan, the prime minister would retain the biggest say, but observers hope an independent body would weed out unacceptable candidates.

Lawmakers are expected to debate both proposals over the next few days, but it is not immediately clear if they will go to a vote before the current parliamentary session ends on Thursday.

The reforms are part of a judicial overhaul promised by the government after a prominent lawyer was accused last year of brokering judicial appointments through his political and corporate connections.

A high-level inquiry earlier this year said there is evidence that key government and judicial figures were involved in a conspiracy to manipulate the appointment of judges. The investigation is ongoing. -- AP