Anwar: Tabling FOI Bill soon, to provide clarity on govt decisions
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the tabling of the bill is crucial to gain public confidence and provide clarity on government decisions.
'This is an important step in...
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The Star
19 minutes ago
- The Star
Judicial picks expected today
PUTRAJAYA: An announcement regarding judicial appointments is expected today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. He acknowledged delays and public unease over certain appointments but assured them all processes have been carried out fairly and transparently. Anwar said he had a lengthy discussion with the Conference of Rulers yesterday morning. 'I think let them decide and tomorrow (today), hopefully, there will be an announcement that will clearly dispel the so-called negative perceptions,' he said in his speech at Malaysia's International Conference on Integrity and Governance here yesterday. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, stressed that the government fully upholds judicial independence and has not interfered in any court proceedings or decisions during his tenure. 'I rest my case, and I hope when the announcement is made, it will prove this government is committed to reform, including the principle of judicial independence,' he said, as reported by Bernama. Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said noted that the government will review the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) Act 2009 amid public confusion over the recent Chief Justice appointment process. She said a special committee will be set up, comprising members of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, as well as constitutional experts, legal practitioners and academics. 'We have to improve because what is happening now is that there is a lot of confusion. (There's) no clarity from the public perspective. But then this particular JAC, which was passed and established in 2009, is responsible for the appointment of five Chief Justices. It has never been an issue. 'Sadly, now there is an issue, so we have to study it. Where did the non-clarity or confusion come in? Is it the processes, or is it the wording of the Act?' she said to reporters after attending the International Conference on Integrity and Governance here yesterday. She said the government had announced the implementation of a Comparative Study of the Judicial Appointment System by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister's Department last week, as part of efforts to enhance transparency in the appointment procedure of superior court judges She said the study aims to provide a clearer understanding of the JAC's role and to also address issues raised by the Malaysian Bar. 'The government is always open to the views of all parties, including the Malaysian Bar, who will also be invited to join in this study, to ensure a more transparent, integrity-based and trusted judicial appointment system for the people. 'In addition, issues raised by the Malaysian Bar should be considered within the framework of the Federal Constitution, the Judicial Appointments Commission Act and other laws in force,' she said in a statement. On Monday, Azalina clarified that the JAC does not have binding authority in judicial appointments. She explained the JAC's primary role is to screen, assess and recommend candidates to the Prime Minister, while appointments to the Federal Court, Court of Appeal and High Court must ultimately comply with Article 122B of the Federal Constitution.
The Star
35 minutes ago
- The Star
Zahid continues official visit, high-level meetings set in New Zealand
WELLINGTON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi continues the third day of his official working visit to New Zealand with a series of meetings with several senior leaders, aimed at strengthening Malaysia-New Zealand bilateral relations. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, began his packed itinerary at 8am local time (4 am Malaysian time) with a meeting with the Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka, held at the Minister's Meeting Room in the New Zealand Parliament. The meeting is expected to provide both parties with an opportunity to share views on indigenous community development policies and explore potential cooperation between Malaysia and New Zealand in empowering the Orang Asli community in Malaysia. He is then scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, David Seymour. The meeting will be followed by the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI), symbolising a shared commitment to broaden future cooperation, at the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister's Office at the Beehive building. According to the released itinerary, as part of efforts to strengthen ties with the local Muslim community, Ahmad Zahid is also scheduled to visit Kilbirnie Mosque and engage in a dialogue session with the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ). The Deputy Prime Minister is also scheduled to attend an official luncheon hosted by New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters at the Beehive building before delivering a keynote address at the Halal Forum and joining a high tea reception with Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety Andrew Hoggard. The forum, which will be held at the National Library of New Zealand, is co-organised by the Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH) and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). It aims to strengthen cooperation in the halal sector, particularly in food exports and certification. In a related development, Ahmad Zahid is also scheduled to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Malaysian Government and the New Zealand Government on higher education, aimed at expanding opportunities for Malaysian government-sponsored students to pursue studies in New Zealand. On Thursday (July 17) Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Investment Todd McClay. As Chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee (JPBP), he is also scheduled to visit the country's National Crisis Management Centre. In the afternoon, the Deputy Prime Minister will attend a gathering with the Malaysian community in Wellington, expected to draw over 250 Malaysians residing in the country. Ahmad Zahid is scheduled to conclude his working visit and depart for Kuala Lumpur on Friday (July 18). Earlier, he began his visit in Auckland by meeting New Zealand industry and business leaders, including the ASEAN New Zealand Business Council (ANZBC), and continued the second day of his visit in Rotorua by attending a Maori Business Roundtable session, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties in social and indigenous community development.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Ahmad Zahid continues official visit with high-level meetings in New Zealand
WELLINGTON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi continues the third day of his official working visit to New Zealand with a series of meetings with several senior leaders of the country in the country's capital, aimed at strengthening Malaysia–New Zealand bilateral relations. Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, began his packed itinerary at 8am local time (4am Malaysian time) with a meeting with the Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka, held at the Minister's Meeting Room in the New Zealand Parliament. The meeting is expected to provide both parties with an opportunity to share views on indigenous community development policies and explore potential cooperation between Malaysia and New Zealand in empowering the Orang Asli community in Malaysia. He is then scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, David Seymour. The meeting will be followed by the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI), symbolising a shared commitment to broaden future cooperation, at the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister's Office at the Beehive building. According to the released itinerary, as part of efforts to strengthen ties with the local Muslim community, Zahid is also scheduled to visit Kilbirnie Mosque and engage in a dialogue session with the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ). The Deputy Prime Minister is also scheduled to attend an official luncheon hosted by New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters at the Beehive building before delivering a keynote address at the Halal Forum and joining a high tea reception with Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety Andrew Hoggard. The forum, which will be held at the National Library of New Zealand, is co-organised by the Halal Industry Development Council (MPIH) and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). It aims to strengthen cooperation in the halal sector, particularly in food exports and certification. In a related development, Ahmad Zahid is also scheduled to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Malaysian Government and the New Zealand Government on higher education, aimed at expanding opportunities for Malaysian government-sponsored students to pursue studies in New Zealand. Tomorrow, he is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Investment Todd McClay. As chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee, he is also scheduled to visit the country's National Crisis Management Centre. In the afternoon, the deputy prime minister will attend a gathering with the Malaysian community in Wellington, expected to draw over 250 Malaysians residing in the country. Zahid is scheduled to conclude his working visit and depart for Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Earlier, he began his visit in Auckland by meeting New Zealand industry and business leaders, including the Asean New Zealand Business Council (ANZBC), and continued the second day of his visit in Rotorua by attending a Maori Business Roundtable session, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties in social and indigenous community development. – Bernama
