Called on MPs for support.
Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli has sent letters to all Members of Parliament, urging support for the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate recent allegations concerning judicial appointments.
In the letter, the PKR lawmaker also called on MPs to support a probe by Parliament’s special select committee on human rights, elections, and institutional reforms into the unfolding judicial controversy. This includes summoning Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to provide a statement to the committee.
Rafizi further urged MPs to back the appointment of judges based on recommendations already made by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).
“I once again urge you (MPs) to join us in expressing solidarity and support for this effort – whether through endorsing the attached statement of support, making public statements, attending related forums, or taking follow-up action in Parliament,” he wrote.
Several MPs from both Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional confirmed to Malaysiakini that they received Rafizi’s letter this morning, though they have yet to decide on their support.
Rafizi also referred MPs to a joint statement he and eight other PKR lawmakers issued on 7 July, highlighting four key concerns:
- That the government failed to act on judicial appointments proposed by the JAC, resulting in critical vacancies.
- That before Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat’s retirement, the JAC had nominated candidates for chief justice and Court of Appeal president to the Prime Minister, but these nominations were not acted upon.
- That the JAC was summoned on Friday without the required 10-day notice to propose new candidates.
- That a Federal Court judge was summoned in an earlier JAC meeting to respond to allegations of judicial interference.
The former PKR deputy president stressed that Parliament, as the cornerstone of constitutional democracy, must act to safeguard the integrity of national institutions.
“Parliament is an independent and sovereign legislative institution.
“Therefore, it is our shared moral and constitutional responsibility to uphold the principle of separation of powers; to ensure that there is no political pressure or executive interference in judicial appointments or decisions; and to maintain transparent checks and balances to protect the supremacy of the Constitution and the interests of the people,” Rafizi stated.
Tengku Maimun retired as chief justice on 2 July, after not receiving a six-month extension. Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim, who is currently serving a six-month post-retirement extension until November, is acting as chief justice in the interim.