PM: Judicial appointments reform to continue despite court case

Summary

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim affirms his administration’s efforts to reform judicial appointments despite a legal challenge against the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2009.

• He also says Putrajaya will not ignore legitimate concerns over the law that have been raised for years.

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed his administration’s efforts to reform judicial appointments despite a legal challenge against the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2009.

He said this after the lawyer Syed Amir Syakib Arsalan Syed Ibrahim filed a judicial review arguing that the JAC Act is unconstitutional.

Anwar said that while the government respects the legal process and will not interfere, it cannot ignore legitimate concerns regarding the law that have been raised over the years.

“These concerns warrant serious and thoughtful consideration - not only from a legal standpoint, but also from an institutional and constitutional perspective.

“Accordingly, while we will vigorously defend the law in court, the government is also committed to undertaking a comprehensive review of the JAC framework.

“We will consult widely, including with the judiciary, the Malaysian Bar, civil society, and the Conference of Rulers, to determine how the system can be improved to better reflect the constitutional balance, enhance public trust, and protect the independence and integrity of our judiciary,” he said in a statement today.

“It is vital that any reform must preserve our constitutional monarchy, respect the separation of powers, and uphold the rule of law in a manner that serves the long-term stability and democratic health of our nation,” he added.

Anwar noted that concerns have been raised regarding JAC’s structure, composition, and influence over judicial appointments.

‘Unconstitutional law’

Earlier today, The Edge reported that Syed Amir is seeking a declaration from the Kuala Lumpur High Court that the powers granted to the JAC go against the constitution, specifically Article 122B, which outlines the process for appointing judges to the Federal Court, Court of Appeal, and High Courts.

He reportedly argued that the JAC Act interferes with the constitutional process and judicial independence by allowing the prime minister and government officials to influence judicial appointments, which is against international standards for an independent judiciary.

READ MORE: Reduce PM's powers to appoint judges, experts say on judicial reform

He is also seeking a court order compelling the prime minister and government to follow the proper judicial appointment process without interference from the JAC.

Pending a resolution of the case, he urged the court to grant an interim stay on all judicial appointments made under the JAC Act 2009 until the court fully resolves the issue.

The challenge comes as Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat is scheduled to retire in June.

In her speech at the opening of the 2025 Legal Year, she expressed confidence that Anwar would continue to uphold judicial independence and cited Anwar’s speech in the Dewan Rakyat in 2009, as the opposition leader, objecting to the JAC Act.

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