Hundreds march for judicial independence in Malaysia amid concerns over delayed judge appointments
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Lawyers holding placards as they join the July 14 rally to uphold the freedom and independence of the Malaysian judiciary in Putrajaya.
ST PHOTO: AZRIL ANNUAR
Follow topic:
- Over 400 lawyers and civil society figures took part in the "Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence" on July 14.
- Concerns over delayed appointments and the independence of Malaysia's judiciary have come up following the retirement of Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat in early July.
- Over the weeks, there have also been growing calls by lawmakers from both sides for PM Anwar to clear the air on these judicial issues.
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PUTRAJAYA – Hundreds of people gathered in Putrajaya on July 14 to voice concerns over the state of the judiciary and the delayed appointments of top judges and to defend the independence of the institution.
“Bebas, Bebas. Bebas Kehakiman (Free, free. Free the judiciary)!” chanted the crowd as they began marching from the Palace of Justice, which houses the Malaysian Court of Appeal and Federal Court.
The march started shortly after 2pm, heading towards the Prime Minister’s Office, located about 2.6km away.
Concerns about the independence of Malaysian judges arose earlier in July when the top seats, including the spot of chief justice, were left vacant for weeks with no formally appointed successors.
The former chief justice, Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, retired on July 2 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 66. She was not given a six-month extension
She is among nine members of the Federal Court, Malaysia’s apex court, who have either left or are due to retire between April and November. They include the second- and third-highest-ranked judges.
With only two new appointments to the Bench since November 2024, the Federal Court could soon be left with just six judges, most of whom are recent appointees. Currently, Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Mohammed Hashim, who is due to retire in November, is the acting Chief Justice.
The retirements come amid speculation that Tan Sri Terrirudin Salleh, appointed directly to the apex court in 2024 while he was still serving as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s attorney-general, is set to be elevated soon to the post of chief justice.
The police are also currently investigating a purported leak of a classified Judicial Appointments Commission meeting’s minutes that detail alleged interference in judicial decisions by a Federal Court judge.
Bar Council president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab (centre) joining lawyers and civil society representatives at the march.
ST PHOTO: AZRIL ANNUAR
The July 14 gathering, titled Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence, was organised by the Malaysian Bar. The march reflected a culmination of public concern regarding Malaysia’s top court.
Addressing the crowd at the rally, Bar Council president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said: “This march is rooted in law, not in politics. Judicial independence isn’t a slogan but a guarantee of the rule of law, which protects everyone.
“Silence is not an option.”
Their demands were received by Legal Affairs Division director-general Zamri Misman at the security registration office of the Prime Minister’s Office.
The rally saw more than 400 lawyers, as well as representatives from Bersih 2.0 – a non-governmental organisation (NGO) seeking electoral reforms – and the anti-graft NGO Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism in attendance.
During Datuk Seri Anwar’s time in the opposition, where he championed the call for reforms, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections, widely known by its Malay name Bersih, was seen to be firmly in his corner.
Among notable attendees at the march were Mr Anwar’s daughter, Ms Nurul Izzah Anwar; former attorney-general Tommy Thomas; opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) secretary-general and Kota Bharu MP Takiyuddin Hassan; and former Bersih chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan.
More than 200 lawyers gathering to attend the march, with many wearing blue caps that read: “Walk to safeguard judicial independence.”
ST PHOTO: AZRIL ANNUAR
Over the weeks, there have also been growing calls by lawmakers within Mr Anwar’s own Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) party and the opposition, demanding that he address the delayed judicial appointments and the perceived interference in the matter.
On July 7, nine MPs led by Mr Anwar’s former PKR party deputy Rafizi Ramli
The open stance taken by the nine out of PKR’s 31 MPs – or 29 per cent – is unusual and could be read as a loss of confidence in Mr Anwar, who is halfway through his five-year term.
PKR is the linchpin of Malaysia’s multi-party governing coalition.
In the days after the PKR MPs spoke out, PAS and a senior lawmaker from the Democratic Action Party, Ms Teresa Kok, a close ally of the PKR, also joined the chorus of voices demanding transparency on the matter on July 7.
Mr Anwar held a closed-door briefing with MPs from his Pakatan Harapan coalition on the judicial controversy on July 14.
The Conference of Rulers is also expected to deliberate on the issue this week.
