PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today brushed aside the recent furore over his alleged interference in the appointment of judges, saying the episode has been conclusively resolved following an official announcement made last week.
Commenting on accusations that he was interfering in the appointment of judges, Anwar said these may have stemmed from “false information” coming out from the judiciary.
“I believe that there were been elements within the judiciary who leaked and spread these false stories. Never mind, that’s their problem,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
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“Alhamdulillah, no one is saying anything now, though I was repeatedly criticised last week. Now it has all been resolved,” he said.
A document allegedly containing excerpts from a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting held in May went viral earlier this month, claiming that then chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat had raised concerns about the integrity of a candidate for an administrative post in the judiciary.
Claims were made that the judge in question had once attempted to influence the outcome of a case in favour of a specific party, and had sought the transfer of a fellow judge for holding a differing view.
An aide to the judge filed a police report urging the authorities to investigate how such information had been leaked. Police are probing the alleged leak of the JAC meeting minutes under the Official Secrets Act and two other laws.
On June 30, Anwar said there appeared to be a campaign to pressure the government to either extend or end specific tenures, which he warned could politicise institutions meant to remain independent.
Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh was appointed as the new chief justice last week, taking over the post from Tengku Maimun who had retired.
Justice Abu Bakar Jais was appointed as president of the Court of Appeal, while Justice Azizah Nawawi was made chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak.
Candidate for judicial posts presented much earlier
Anwar said he had proposed the appointment of Wan Ahmad Farid as chief justice much earlier, denying rumours of a last-minute change in candidate.
He also said he had proposed the appointments of eight Court of Appeal and 14 High Court judges about two months ago.
The prime minister said certain parties understood the constitutional process of judicial appointments but chose to twist the facts and mislead others.
“The candidate’s name was presented (to the king) earlier, before all the ‘noise’ surfaced. We were just waiting for the Conference of Rulers to meet on July 15 and July 16.
“Everything was according to the set process. No one can preempt the Agong or the consultations with the Conference of Rulers,” he said.
Anwar also cited Article 122B of the constitution, which states that judicial appointments are made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the Conference of Rulers.