Former law minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz has strongly opposed Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat’s recent call to remove the Prime Minister’s involvement in appointing judges, calling the suggestion improper and unnecessary.
In comments reported by Free Malaysia, Nazri defended Malaysia’s current judicial appointment process, stating that it follows the long-standing British constitutional system. He also highlighted that the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), introduced in 2009 during his tenure, was created specifically to add transparency and credibility to the appointment process.
Nazri questioned the need for change, saying the existing system has checks and balances. “If Anwar interfered, Najib wouldn’t be in jail. The court sentenced him. The pardons board reviewed his case. Where is the interference?” Nazri pointed out.
He added that the chief justice’s remarks could imply unfounded criticism of a working system and suggested that relevant authorities should look into whether her comments were appropriate or not.
Tun Tengku Maimun had made her remarks during a legal conference in Malta, where she argued that removing the prime minister from the judicial appointment process would help strengthen the perception of judicial independence and improve public trust in the judiciary. Her remarks were framed as part of a broader reform proposal to insulate the judiciary from political influence.
Nazri, however, questioned the timing of her comments. He pointed out that she herself was appointed during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s second stint as Prime Minister under the very system she is now criticising. “Why raise the issue now, when she was appointed through the same process without complaint?” he asked.
The debate has since stirred conversations across Malaysia’s legal and political circles.
Nazri’s firm stance underscores a broader tension between institutional tradition and calls for reform, especially in an era where public demand for judicialPoliticsop transparency is rising. Whether this issue sparks legislative changes remains to be seen, but it has certainly reignited scrutiny of how judges are appointed in Malaysia.
Information Source: Malay Mail
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