Nazri took CJ's statement out of context, says Bar

Summary

• The Malaysian Bar defends Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, stating her call for judicial appointment reform was misrepresented by Nazri Aziz, who reportedly wrongly labelled it as political.

• The Bar says her remarks promoted judicial independence and were made in a measured, objective tone.

• Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan also disagreed with Nazri, noting Tengku Maimun’s comments aligned with the government’s commitment to reform the appointment process.

The Malaysian Bar has come to Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat’s defence, saying that former de facto law minister Nazri Abdul Aziz took her remarks regarding judicial appointments out of context.

Regrettably, it said, Nazri also sensationalised the issue and doing so threatens to undermine the public trust that the judiciary depends on.

“To characterise [Tengku Maimun’s] call for reform as a ‘political remark’ misses the point. The statement was clearly directed at necessary reforms, and Her Ladyship expressed her views in a measured and objective tone.

“The doctrine of separation of powers remains a cornerstone of any functioning democracy. An integral part of that doctrine is the assurance that the process of judicial appointments is insulated from political influence,” said Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab in a statement today.

Earlier today, Nazri reportedly criticised Tengku Maimun’s speech regarding calls to remove the prime minister’s role in advising the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on judicial appointments.

He accused the outgoing chief justice of making political remarks, questioned the timing of her statement ahead of her retirement on June 30, and challenged her to show proof of political interference in the judiciary.

The Bar cited passages in Tengku Maimun’s speech on April 8 at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta as follows:

“Of late, there have been proposals to amend the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2009 and the Federal Constitution to remove the role of the prime minister in the appointment of judges.

“Such changes, in my view, would reinforce the impartiality of the selection process, ensuring that judicial appointments remain firmly grounded on merit and free from any perception of political influence.”

‘Meaningful debate is essential’

Meanwhile, Ezri emphasised that every effort should be made to safeguard the judiciary from undue interference, and robust public discourse on this issue should not only be permitted, but encouraged.

“Meaningful debate - grounded in fact and driven by public interest - is essential in fostering accountability and in strengthening the very institutions we seek to protect.

“The credibility of the courts depends not only on the quality of its judges, but on the integrity of the process by which they are appointed,” he said.

In a separate statement, Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan said he disagreed with Nazri’s claim regarding what Tengku Maimun said.

He said the chief justice’s statement was general in nature and not aimed at the prime minister.

“Moreover, if read carefully, her speech supports the proposal to improve the judicial appointments process in the Judicial Appointments Committee.

“The prime minister himself has recently stated his commitment that the Madani government will review and improve the process of appointing judges,” Syahredzan said.

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