Bar says 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' a success

The Malaysian Bar has successfully marched in Putrajaya today in a bid to defend judicial integrity.

Seven representatives from the Malaysian Bar, led by president Ezri Abdul Wahab, have handed over their memorandum of demands to the Prime Minister’s Office.

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This concludes our live report for the “Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence” rally.

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‘Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence’ a success

3.50pm: The Malaysian Bar ends its “Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence”, declaring it a success.

A Malaysian Bar representative says that an extraordinary general meeting will be held on July 26 to discuss related matters.

Rally participants trudge back to the Palace of Justice, leaving the authorities who had facilitated the gathering.

Penang Bar shows support

3.45pm: The Penang Bar goes on a solidarity walk in support of the Malaysian Bar’s “Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence”.

It urges the government to promptly appoint individuals of integrity, experience, and capability to fill judicial vacancies, according to the Oriental Daily News.

The walk began at 11am today, with around 50 lawyers participating, marching from Jalan Green Hall to the Penang High Court.

Memo successfully handed over

3.25pm: Lawyers take turns addressing the rally participants, underscoring their demands.

A rally marshal announces that the Malaysian Bar president has successfully handed over their memorandum.

Amidst the speeches, a voice shouts: “Ice cream, ice cream! Who wants ice cream?”, courtesy of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Nurul Izzah calls for probe into ‘ judicial intereference’

3.10pm: Nurul Izzah Anwar, in a statement, calls for a probe into allegations of judicial interference.

She says the allegations are strengthened by a leaked police report lodged by a judge's aide as well as the leak of purported Judicial Appointments Commission minutes.

She says the probe can be initiated by setting up an independent tribunal made up of five senior judges.

READ MORE: Nurul Izzah marches with lawyers, moots tribunal to probe JAC leak claims

Ezri, several reps enter PMO

3.05pm: Seven representatives from the Malaysian Bar, led by Ezri Abdul Wahab, enter the Prime Minister's Office to hand over their memorandum of demands.

The lawyers continue gathering at the roundabout facing the PMO and Putrajaya mosque.

A marshal urges the crowd to wait for about 20 minutes, under various shades of umbrellas and makeshift coverings.

Protesters in high spirits

2.53pm: Protesters leading the march remain in high spirits as they quip the next rally should be done via a car convoy with the president placed on a pick-up truck.

The front row reaches the PMO and gathers the remaining crowd.

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PKR No 2 spotted

2.50pm: PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar has been spotted at the rally when lawyers gathered outside the Palace of Justice earlier.

Berita Harian posts a photo of Nurul Izzah posing with a lawyer, while both held a placard that read "Walk the talk, judicial independence".

In May, when campaigning for the PKR deputy presidency, Nurul Izzah had positioned herself as a check and balance against her father, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim - saying she would raise objections over the re-appointment of Azam Baki as MACC chief commissioner.

However, she has not commented on Azam's appointment after her win, nor has she commented on the judicial scandal.

Mission: Possible?

2.45pm: Serving both functionality and a thrilling twist, a lawyer cycles along the protest route, with a speaker attached to his bicycle, blasting the theme song to “Mission: Impossible”.

The march proceeds along key government buildings, including the Finance Ministry.

After mid-point, the initial front and back rows have mostly separated, leaving a wide gap in between.

March reaches halfway point

2.30pm: The Walk for Judicial Independence begins from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister's Office.

Around 600 participants are marching, led by the Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab.

The participants carry placards with calls for judicial reforms, also used to shield themselves from the searing sun.

Chanting “Free the courts”, the rally leader also shouts, “Panas, panas! Jalan cepat!” (It’s hot, hot! Walk fast!)

After about 10 minutes, rally marshals announce the march has reached the halfway point.

March in defence of principles - Ezri

2.15pm: Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Rahman stresses the march is not organised against any personalities, but in defence of principles.

“Let it be seen clearly today… this march is in defence of judicial independence, rooted in law and not politics,” he says.

Ezri rallies the lawyers that their failure to act will not just weaken the courts, but also democracy.

Prominent figures seen at rally

2pm: The lawyers gather and chant “Bebas! Bebas! Bebas Kehakiman!”, wearing matching blue Bar Council caps and carrying umbrellas distributed by volunteers.

Prominent figures in the crowd include former and current Bar Council presidents, former attorney-general Tommy Thomas, former Senate president Rais Yatim, as well as PN leaders, Takiyuddin Hassan and Wan Saiful Wan Jan.

Walk to start soon

1.50pm: The “Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence” will begin at 2pm, starting from the Palace of Justice and ending at the Prime Minister's Office, which is 2.6km away from the court complex.

The Bar will submit a memorandum with four demands, namely filling top judicial vacancies, releasing minutes of a recent Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting, forming a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to probe judicial interference, and addressing overall judicial vacancies.

Civil society groups and opposition politicians practising law are expected to be present in support of the rally.

The walk comes amid deep concerns about judicial independence.

On Saturday, a leak of purported meeting minutes from a JAC meeting in May appeared to lend credence to allegations of judicial interference against a senior judge.

There are also concerns that the government is sidelining recommendations from the JAC - made when Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat was chief justice - to fill key judicial positions.

The government has sought to downplay concerns about the judiciary, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim insisting that he does not interfere with the courts.

Despite this, Anwar is expected to hold a meeting with Pakatan Harapan MPs regarding the judiciary this evening at his official residence in Putrajaya.

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