Azalina agrees to study on judicial appointments reform

Azalina Othman Said has agreed to initiate a preliminary comparative research study on the judicial appointments reform process, following a discussion today with parliamentary committee leaders.

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said that the study will aim for a holistic understanding of the judicial appointments process in countries with legal systems similar to Malaysia.

It will also suggest evidence-based reforms that are suited to our national context, she said.

The study, which will focus on the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia, and India, will also assess more effective judicial appointment models, identify best practices, and recommend appropriate reforms compliant with the Federal Constitution, and within the context of Malaysia as a constitutional monarchy, said Azalina.

Earlier, Azalina had met with senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol, who chairs the Senate Special Select Committee for Law Review, and Selayang MP William Leong, chair of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights and Institutional Reform.

“The chairpersons of the special select committees have expressed their concerns regarding the latest developments in Malaysia’s judicial appointments process. They have stressed the importance of further scrutiny to ensure the process is more transparent and credible.

“The government, through the Legal Affairs Division, Prime Minister’s Department, also welcomes the public’s views and feedback on this matter. 

“This inclusive approach is important to ensure that every perspective is taken into account before the results of the study are presented for the cabinet’s consideration,” she said.

Growing discontent

Following the retirement of former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat last week, growing concerns of a possible judicial scandal and government interference within the judicial process have been raised by several MPs and prominent legal figures.

On Monday, former economy minister Rafizi Ramli and several other PKR MPs called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Judicial Appointments Commission, while the Malaysian Bar has also scheduled a “Walk for Judicial Independence” for July 14 to express similar concerns on the matter.

Yesterday, Azalina assured that the cabinet has addressed the rakyat’s concerns surrounding the latest judicial vacancies and assured that new appointments for the chief justice and president of the Court of Appeal will be carried out in compliance with the Federal Constitution.

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