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Key Highlights
New CJ appointed, will the storm settle?
Symbolic bow, but is it too late?
Rakyat is my boss
New CJ appointed, will the storm settle?
Following days of intense speculation and political intrigue, Court of Appeal Judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh has emerged as the new chief justice.
The 62-year-old former deputy minister takes the helm from Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2.
In a statement released at midnight, the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court confirmed that Wan Farid’s appointment was made under Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution - with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong granting royal assent on the advice of the prime minister and after consulting the Conference of Rulers.
The late-night announcement also revealed two other key judicial appointments: Federal Court judge Abu Bakar Jais as the new president of the Court of Appeal, and Court of Appeal judge Azizah Nawawi as chief judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.
Yet, even as the dust settles on these appointments, pressure mounts on the government to address deeper concerns. At the heart of the storm is the purported leak of the Judicial Appointments Commission’s meeting minutes - documents that allegedly expose interference by a top judge previously tipped for one of the judiciary’s highest posts.
Nine MPs from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s own party, PKR, have broken ranks to demand a royal commission of inquiry (RCI). They are also calling for the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections, and Institutional Reforms to launch its own probe, including summoning the prime minister to testify.
The question now is not just who holds office, but whether the integrity of the judiciary can withstand the storm.
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Symbolic bow, but is it too late?
In an unprecedented gesture, DAP leaders bowed in solemn respect to the family of the late Teoh Beng Hock as justice for his tragic death remains elusive 16 years on.
The question remains whether this symbolic act can help restore the party’s image, one that has suffered significantly due to its failure to deliver justice for Teoh, despite having campaigned on the issue in past elections.
Critics like P Ramasamy - once an ally, now a vocal foe - were quick to condemn DAP’s apparent paralysis, despite holding the most federal seats in the Madani government.
He challenged the party to reclaim its former zeal for justice and urged it to issue a clear ultimatum: Bring the perpetrators to justice, or DAP will withdraw its support.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke - one of the four leaders who bowed their heads in respect - also urged Teoh’s family to accept MACC’s goodwill contribution.
He emphasised that the offer comes with no strings attached and assured that the case remains open.
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Rakyat is my boss
Rafizi Ramli has a blunt message for PKR: The rakyat is his boss.
The Pandan MP made it clear that even if the party suspends him and eight other lawmakers over their push for an RCI into the judiciary, it won’t silence them.
“Suspending us doesn’t solve any problem because we are paid by the rakyat to speak up for them, and we will continue to speak up,” he said.
Furthermore, Rafizi said suspending them would give the impression that there is no space for democracy within PKR, especially when there are lawmakers like Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim who had criticised the prime minister even more harshly before, yet no action was taken.
Rafizi’s statement followed a July 14 briefing by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with Pakatan Harapan MPs - a meeting that Rafizi chose to skip.
An internal memo dated July 16 from PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said Anwar reminded MPs to raise concerns internally before going public. Fuziah added that some MPs’ actions were seen as a “vote of no confidence” against Anwar.
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Views that matter
 | By R Paneir Selvam |
 | By Centre for Independent Journalism & Geramm |
 | By P Gunasegaram |
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