Chief Justice

THE appointment of the next Chief Justice remains uncertain, as no official announcement was made following the conclusion of the Conference of Rulers meeting yesterday.

Utusan Malaysia reported that the statement released by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, did not provide any confirmation or detail regarding the appointment of a new Chief Justice.

Instead, the meeting, chaired by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah focused on matters such as national security, general judicial appointments and a proposal to ban vape products.

“The Conference was briefed on the current state of national security by IGP Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, and on national defence by Chief of Defence Forces General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar.

“In addition, judicial appointments were discussed, including those to the Federal Court, Court of Appeal and High Court, as well as the positions of Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, president of the Court of Appeal and Chief Justice,” it said.

Syed Danial added that the Conference took note of a proposal to fully ban the sale and use of vape products and electronic cigarettes in Malaysia.

“The meeting also received views from the 126th and 127th Muzakarah Committee sessions of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia, along with resolutions from the MKI Special Muzakarah Committee Meeting 2025.

“Other matters discussed included the need to register marriages involving refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, as well as a Cabinet paper on proposed centralised asset seizure and forfeiture management policy,” it added.

Also present were the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah, the Sultan of Kedah Sultan Sallehuddin and the Yang diPertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Other royal dignitaries were the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra, Tunku Temenggong of Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim and Tengku Arif Bendahara of Pahang Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Riayatuddin Shah.

The meeting was also attended by the Yang diPertua Negeri of Sarawak, Melaka, Sabah and Penang, as well as Mentri Besars (MBs), Chief Ministers (CMs) and a representative from the Sarawak Premier’s Office. — TMR

The post Next Chief Justice still a mystery appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

THE ongoing debate over the appointment of Malaysia’s next chief justice continues to escalate, prompting a rare warning from Istana Negara imploring all parties to handle the matter prudently and refrain from politicising the process, in order to preserve the integrity of the judiciary.

Utusan Malaysia reported that despite the palace’s reminder, questions remain over whether the controversy can be contained.

Earlier, nine Members of Parliament (MPs) from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) called for the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate alleged irregularities in the judicial appointment process.

The MPs insisted the demand is within their rights as elected representatives and expressed openness to discussions with any political group, including the opposition.

Former PKR deputy president and former economy minister, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, also sent a formal letter to all MPs urging their support for the RCI.

Rafizi pointed out the importance of ensuring that judicial appointments, especially to top posts, adhere to recommendations made by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).

“I once again urge honourable members to show solidarity and support this effort — whether by signing the attached letter, making public statements, participating in related forums, or taking action in Parliament,” he stated in the letter.

Rafizi’s call received backing from PAS, whose information chief, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, said the party supports all efforts to resolve the current judicial crisis, including the RCI proposal — although he remained sceptical about any meaningful outcome as long as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains in office.

“Our support is not conditional.

PAS supports any effort to resolve the crisis surrounding the appointment of judges,” Ahmad Fadhli reiterated.

In its official statement yesterday, Istana Negara reaffirmed that, under Article 122B of the federal constitution, the appointment of judges is made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister after consultation with the conference of rulers.

The 2009 Judicial Appointments Commission Act (Act 695) governs the process of selecting judicial candidates, but the final advisory power lies with the Prime Minister.

“Matters of appointment under the constitution must be handled lawfully so that the exercise of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s authority is not politicised by any party,” the statement read.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, also weighed in, assuring the public that the appointment process for both the chief justice and president of the court of appeal is being conducted transparently and fully in line with constitutional provisions.

She added that the upcoming 269th Conference of Rulers, scheduled from July 15 to 17, will discuss the appointments.

Currently, the chief justice position is being held on an acting basis by chief judge of Malaya, Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim.

The vacancy and the surrounding uncertainty have led the Malaysian Bar to announce a peaceful march on July 14, from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister’s Office, where they will deliver a memorandum containing four key demands.

The demands are on immediate filling of top judicial vacancies, the public disclosure of recent JAC meeting minutes, establishment of an RCI to probe alleged judicial interference, and a comprehensive solution to the broader issue of judicial vacancies.

However, acting chief justice Hasnah rejected the bar council’s request to postpone court proceedings on that day to enable lawyers to attend the rally.

This decision was communicated by deputy chief registrar of the federal court, Azhaniz Teh Azman Teh, who cited prior case scheduling and the involvement of multiple stakeholders as the reason.

The decision was criticised by Lawyers for Liberty adviser Latheefa Koya, who deemed the rationale unreasonable and harmful to the relationship between the judiciary and legal fraternity.

“This is not a valid reason to reject the bar council’s request.

The bar or attorney general’s chambers have made similar requests in the past, which were usually granted,” she said.

As the appointment stalemate continues, pressure is mounting on the government and judiciary to ensure transparency, accountability, and a resolution that preserves public trust in the country’s legal system. — TMR

The post Report: Debate over chief justice appointment intensifies as palace issues warning against politicisation appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.