Latest news with #EzriAbdulWahab
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Bar welcomes new CJ, calls for stronger judiciary
Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Ahmad Salleh's past actions demonstrate his understanding of the judiciary's role. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Bar and a DAP MP have welcomed the appointment of Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the new chief justice, expressing hope that he will uphold judicial independence. Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said Wan Ahmad Farid's past actions demonstrated his understanding of the judiciary's role, recalling his decision to recuse himself in 2022 from a high-profile case involving former prime minister Najib Razak. 'He remarked that the 'public perception of the independence of the judiciary should not be put in doubt' and that it is not a 'matter of trial and error'. 'He reminded all that an 'independent judiciary is a precious gift to any society'. Once it is lost, anarchy reigns. 'These statements demonstrate a profound understanding of the judiciary's sacred role in upholding the rule of law,' said Ezri. Former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat retired on July 1, while former Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim retired on July 3. Ezri congratulated Abu Bakar Jais on his appointment as Court of Appeal president and Azizah Nawawi as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak. 'We hope that under the stewardship of these new judicial office-bearers, the judiciary will continue to uphold the highest standards of independence, integrity and service to the nation,' he said. However, Ezri added that many 'current critical vacancies remain unfilled across the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal and High Courts'. 'We remain hopeful these remaining vacancies will be filled promptly and transparently, in a manner that reinforces public confidence in the judiciary and strengthens the administration of justice,' he said. Separately, MP Syahredzan Johan urged Wan Ahmad Farid to uphold judicial independence. Noting his previous involvement in politics and his recusal from past cases involving potential conflicts of interest, Syahredzan said Malaysians would hold the new chief justice to his previous principles. 'They will expect the new chief justice to continue recusing himself from hearing cases that may create negative perceptions about the integrity of the judiciary. 'The people have high hopes that Wan Ahmad Farid will continue Tengku Maimun's legacy in ensuring that the judiciary remains free from external interference,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
No timeframe, but judicial concerns should be settled earliest possible, says Bar
Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said about 1,600 Bar members took part in the walk, showing strong support from the legal community for urgent judicial reforms. PUTRAJAYA : The Malaysian Bar has called on the government to urgently address concerns over judicial independence and vacancies in the judiciary, but said it was not setting a specific deadline. Speaking after the Bar's 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister's Office this afternoon, its president, Ezri Abdul Wahab, said the gathering was a reminder to the government that issues plaguing the judiciary must not be ignored. 'We are pleased to announce the success of the walk from the Palace of Justice to the PMO. 'All were united in our call to address the pressing concerns regarding the independence of the judiciary, particularly the ongoing vacancies, the need for institutional continuity, and a more transparent and accountable judicial process,' he told reporters. Ezri said about 1,600 Bar members had taken part in the walk, showing strong support from the legal community for urgent judicial reforms. He also said the Bar had submitted a memorandum to legal affairs department director-general Zamri Misman, who received it on behalf of the PMO. 'The director-general said he will deliver the memo to the prime minister,' he said. Asked about the contents of the memorandum, Ezri said it focused on the critical shortage of judges in the judiciary, which is affecting the administration of justice. 'We also asked for the judicial vacancies to be filled. The ongoing vacancies are worrying, and there are cases fixed as far as 2030. This will cripple court operations and negatively impact litigants,' he said. Ezri stressed that the Bar was not claiming that the judiciary was no longer independent, but cautioned that recent developments and public discourse may be undermining its integrity. 'We have seen a lot of media statements and talk on social media that could jeopardise the independence of the judiciary. We want that to be settled and are asking the government to resolve it as soon as possible. There is no timeframe,' he said. He also confirmed that there were no plans for another walk if the concerns raised were not addressed. 'No, this is it. This is just a reminder to the government. If not, other action will follow,' he said, adding that the Bar would discuss its next steps at its extraordinary general meeting on July 26. Among the notable figures spotted at the rally were former Bar presidents Ambiga Sreenevasan and Karen Cheah, PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, Pendang MP Awang Hashim, former attorney-general Tommy Thomas and former Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim.
Free Malaysia Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
M'sian Bar to hold peaceful walk to PMO in push for RCI
Bar members will be walking from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister's Office, a distance of some 2,600m. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Bar will be organising a peaceful walk next Monday over its call for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into judicial appointments and alleged interference in the judiciary. According to a circular sighted by FMT, Bar members will gather at the Palace of Justice (POJ) at 2pm on July 14 to walk to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and hand over a memorandum. Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said despite the scheduling of an extraordinary general meeting on July 26 to discuss the issue, 'recent events have heightened the Bar's concerns'. Earlier today, the Attorney-General's Chambers rejected calls for an RCI and a parliamentary select committee to investigate alleged irregularities in judicial appointments, saying the situation did not amount to a constitutional crisis. It said any suggestion of a crisis was unfounded, and that discrepancies in timing or procedure related to appointments 'did not automatically amount to a constitutional crisis'. It was also previously reported that the Bar was applying for the release of minutes from the Judicial Appointments Commission's (JAC) meeting on May 16, following media reports that a senior judge was questioned over alleged interference in judicial affairs. FMT had reported that a senior judge was summoned by the JAC to answer allegations of interference in judicial appointments, dating back to last year. Among other matters, the Bar's memorandum calls for judicial leadership positions to be filled as soon as possible, the immediate release of the JAC meeting minutes and the establishment of the RCI. 'The POJ is not just a symbolic starting point; it is the very heart of our judicial system, from which justice is dispensed. 'Walking from the POJ to the PMO – a walk of some 2,600m – would demonstrate the commitment of the Malaysian Bar to judicial independence and integrity,' said Ezri in the circular.
Malaysiakini
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Malaysian Bar: Walk to defend judicial institution, not individual judges
The Malaysian Bar said its planned 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' is to voice grave institutional concerns on the state of the judiciary, and not for any judge in particular. In a statement today, its president Ezri Abdul Wahab also rejected several media reports which inaccurately characterised the march as...
Free Malaysia Today
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
M'sian Bar concerned over silence on Tengku Maimun's successor
Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said the Bar's call for clarity on the impending transition was made in good faith and in line with its duty to uphold institutional continuity and public confidence in the administration of justice. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Bar says it is deeply concerned over the lack of clarity on the impending retirement of the chief justice of Malaysia, which is now just a day away. In a statement, Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said there had been no formal announcement of a successor or any indication of whether an extension would be granted to Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat. Tengku Maimun reaches the mandatory retirement age of 66 on Wednesday, and tomorrow will be her last day in office. Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said the Bar had consistently refrained from advocating for or against the appointment or extension of any individual judge. He added that the Bar's call for clarity on the impending transition was made in good faith and in line with its duty to uphold institutional continuity and public confidence in the administration of justice. 'What we are witnessing now is not a matter of lobbying or preference; it is a matter of urgency, transparency, and the proper functioning of a constitutional democracy,' he said. 'With less than 48 hours before the sitting chief justice retires, there is still no official word from the relevant authorities. 'In the absence of clarity, the public begins to speculate. Rumours thrive, and confidence erodes. None of this should be allowed to happen – and yet, all of it could have been easily avoided with timely action.' He added that the country had clear precedents for managing transitions in judicial leadership, with acting appointments made when necessary. Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim 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. Anwar said that extending the service of civil servants, including top judges, was not automatic and must follow the procedures set out in the Federal Constitution. Article 125 of the Federal Constitution states that superior court judges shall hold office until the age of 66, but their tenure can be extended for up to six months by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. In his statement, Ezri said the Malaysian Bar agreed in principle that judicial independence must be safeguarded from political interference and undue lobbying. 'However, we caution against conflating legitimate institutional concern and public accountability with politicisation,' he said. 'There is a meaningful distinction between supporting or objecting to a particular individual, and calling out a systemic failure that may erode confidence in the rule of law.'
