Anwar cleared the air over judicial appointments, says Zahid

Anwar cleared the air over judicial appointments, says Zahid

SUNGAI BULOH: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim cleared the air over issues linked to judicial appointments when he met with MPs from Barisan Nasional yesterday, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

Zahid revealed that the matter of judicial appointments was among the issues raised at the one-hour meeting.

The recent retirement of the chief justice and the president of the Court of Appeal, has led to two judges holding the positions in an acting capacity.

He said BN held the view that any royal commission of inquiry into judicial appointments would run counter to a statement issued by law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said that the government will study the best practices of other countries in appointing judges.

She said a preliminary comparative research will be held involving the systems being used in the UK, India, Australia and Singapore.

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Zahid said BN also held the view that the appointment of the chief justice should not be politicised.

“The king would take into account the personality and background of the prospective appointee when deciding on the matter and we should respect the decision,” he told reporters after opening the Selayang Umno divisional meeting here.

Delays in filling top positions in the judiciary have prompted calls for a public inquiry and a parliamentary hearing.

The chief justice and the president of the Court of Appeal have both recently retired, leading to the Chief Judge of Malaya, Hasnah Hashim, being appointed acting chief justice, while Federal Court judge Zabariah Yusof is the acting Court of Appeal president.