
'Major' judiciary reveal fizzles, questions remain
Clarity over vacant positions at the highest level of the judiciary, following weeks of speculation, had been expected today.
Just a day earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hinted at an announcement in conjunction with the Conference of Rulers meeting in Istana Negara.
Today, the Malay rulers and their representatives, along with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, Sabah, Penang, and Melaka, convened.
Key issues, including national security and the judiciary, were discussed, but no announcement followed.
However, throughout the day speculation was rife about who would be appointed Chief Justice.
Several names were bandied about – minus former attorney-general Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh.
This was because it had been revealed by Pakatan Harapan MPs who met Anwar on Monday that Terrirudin's name was not on the list for any top posts.
It is understood that Court of Appeal judge Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh is the frontrunner for the Chief Justice's post.
Meanwhile, Datuk Abu Bakar Jais is being tipped to be the new Court of Appeal president, succeeding Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, who retired on July 2.
Datuk Azizah Nawawi, meanwhile, is said to succeed Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak.
Meanwhile, acting Chief Justice Datuk Seri Hasnah Hashim will continue to serve as Chief Judge of Malaya.
The appointments are expected to be announced tomorrow.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Suspending nine MPs will leave PKR with only 22 seats, says Rafizi
SHAH ALAM: Suspending the membership of nine PKR MPs who have called for the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the judiciary issue will only leave the party with 22 seats, says Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli. The former PKR deputy president said that suspending his membership and that of eight other MPs does not solve the problem because they are paid by the people to speak up, and they will continue to do so, Malay language daily Sinar Harian reported. He noted that the suspension also gives the impression that there is no room for democracy within the party, especially when there are MPs like Hassan Abdul Karim who have previously criticised the Prime Minister more harshly without facing any repercussions. "There is pressure for me and the eight other PKR MPs who initiated the proposal for an RCI on the judiciary to be suspended. "As a result, many branch leaders across the country are rushing to issue media statements urging our suspension. "PKR secretary-general Datuk Fuziah Salleh, said it will be presented to the central leadership council soon. I am just observing. Ordinary party members are watching too. "The public is also observing. My advice is, if you're playing chess or draughts, before eagerly capturing your opponent, first look at the setup around you," he said in a Facebook post on Thursday (July 17). Previously, there were calls from several parties within PKR, including branch leaders in Johor and Kedah, for disciplinary action such as suspending membership against Rafizi and the eight PKR MPs following their criticism of controversial appointments in the judiciary that are perceived to tarnish the image of the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the PKR President. The Pandan MP stressed that if PKR's seats were reduced, the party's seat count would be only slightly more than several other parties in the Madani Government coalition. "Suspending nine MPs would leave PKR with 22 seats, a little less than DAP, Barisan Nasional (BN), and the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)," he said. Rafizi stated that the new generation of PKR branch leaders, who recently won in the party elections, need to understand that the party was not built by silencing voices. He claimed that PKR appears dynamic because it always moves organically and allows anyone to raise public issues without adhering to hierarchy or party positions. He noted that the party was previously popular with the public because it was the fastest and most vocal on public issues. "That has been our practice, us old-timers, which led PKR to form a government and open opportunities for new leadership like these branch leaders to become prominent and hold positions. "If you are not yet familiar with PKR's culture, here's some advice I want to share. "Love your child by disciplining them. Love your spouse by giving them space. Love your country by providing constructive criticism," he said.


New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Rafizi: Suspending PKR MPs over judiciary RCI push solves nothing
KUALA LUMPUR: Former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has warned that suspending him and eight other members of parliament for proposing a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into judicial affairs would not resolve any issues, as they are duty-bound to voice the people's concerns. Rafizi said PKR was built on democratic engagement and cautioned party leaders against stifling internal criticism. "Suspending us does not solve anything, because we are paid by the people to be their voice, and we will continue to speak up," he said in a Facebook post today. Rafizi, who is also the Pandan member of parliament, said recent calls from division-level leaders to suspend the group would reduce PKR to just 22 parliamentary seats, putting it on par with other component parties and coalitions such as DAP, Barisan Nasional (BN), and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). He questioned the selective approach, pointing out that other MPs, such as Pasir Gudang's Hassan Karim, had voiced even stronger criticism of the prime minister in the past without facing similar consequences. Rafizi reminded grassroots leaders of the party's origins, adding that PKR was not built by silencing voices, but by allowing members to raise issues regardless of rank or position. He said PKR's appeal had always stemmed from its organic dynamism and swift responses to public concerns. "We were the fastest and most outspoken in addressing the people's concerns," he said. He also shared a Malay proverb: "To love a child is to discipline them. "To love a wife is to give her space. To love the country is to offer criticism." On July 13, PKR division chiefs called for disciplinary action and the suspension of Rafizi and eight other PKR MPs for demanding an RCI to investigate what they claimed were irregularities in the appointment of senior judges, including the chief justice.


The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Rally an attempt to remain politically relevant says PM's aide
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin has dismissed the upcoming "Turun Anwar" protest as a political ploy by a "small group" seeking to maintain relevance. He asserted that the demonstration, scheduled to take place in the federal capital on July 26, was not a genuine expression of public discontent as claimed by its organisers. "This protest is not about the rakyat, it is about a small group attempting to reverse what they failed to achieve through the ballot box," he said in his speech at the National Economic Forum organised by the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia here on Thursday (July 17). He said the government had been given the mandate through a free and fair election and had been working tirelessly since then to resolve long-standing issues left by previous administrations such as institutional decay, weaknesses in governance and fiscal mismanagement. "If a change is desired, contest the next election, that is the democratic way... Malaysia must not be distracted by this noise. What we need now is maturity, unity and delivery," he added. Shamsul Iskandar said what the country needed most was wise leadership and not leaders chasing headlines or popularity contests, but those who think beyond themselves, who ask, "What will this country look like when I am gone?" A wise leader, he said, is a leader who "builds institutions, not ego; builds trust, not tribes; builds for the next generation, not the next election". "This is precisely the leadership style of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: restrained, principled and focused on service – leading reforms one by one, rebuilding trust, strengthening institutions and ensuring that no one is left behind. "It is the same leadership that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar commands at the regional level as Asean chair, which gathered top diplomats of the United States, China and Russia in Kuala Lumpur recently, an impressive diplomatic achievement," he said. – Bernama