PM Anwar called out by his own lawmakers as Malaysia’s judicial crisis heats up

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Mr Anwar, who is PKR’s president, has not commented on the apparent revolt by the nine MPs.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Summary

• Nine PKR MPs, led by Rafizi Ramli, demand a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the delayed judicial appointments.
• Critics raise concerns over potential fast-tracking of former attorney-general Terrirudin Salleh to the Chief Justices post.
• Experts urge Anwar to address the delays as public confidence is at stake; the Attorney General Chambers rejects RCI call.

AI generated

KUALA LUMPUR – A growing group of lawmakers, including those from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR),have called him out over the delayed appointments of the chief justice (CJ) and the Court of Appeal president, as well as other judicial matters.

On July 7, nine MPs from PKR, led by its former deputy president Rafizi Ramli, signed a joint statement demanding a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the matter that has raised worries about judicial interference and for Datuk Seri Anwar to give an explanation.

The open stance taken by the nine out of PKR’s 31 MPs – or 29 per cent – is unusual, and could be read as a loss of confidence in Mr Anwar, who is halfway through his five-year term. PKR is the linchpin of Malaysia’s multi-party governing coalition.

“The controversy regarding the judiciary remains unanswered,” Datuk Seri Rafizi told a press conference on July 7 in releasing the statement.

“As MPs, it is our duty to defend the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers between