THE Malaysian Bar has filed a legal bid to challenge the appointment of Federal Court judge Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh to the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).
The bar filed a leave application to initiate the judicial review at the High Court on Feb 12 by naming Ahmad Terrirudin, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the JAC, and the Government of Malaysia as respondents, reported The New Straits Times.
According to an affidavit filed by its secretary, Murshidah Mustafa, the applicant is seeking leave to apply for an order of certiorari to quash Anwar's decision to appoint Ahmad Terrirudin as a member of the JAC on Nov 15, 2025, which was gazetted on Nov 18, 2025.
It also wanted the court to issue an order to compel the JAC to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations against Ahmad Terrirudin, with the findings to be made public.
It is also applying for an order to compel the JAC to release and disclose the minutes of its meeting held on May 16, 2025, within seven days from the disposal of the leave application.
"The applicant is seeking alternative orders of quo warranto requiring the respondents to show cause and disclose the basis for Anwar's decision to appoint Ahmad Terrirudin, instead of any other member of the judiciary, to the commission.
"The applicant is also seeking an order of mandamus compelling Anwar to exercise his prerogative to appoint a member of the JAC in accordance with Malaysian law, established conventions and the JAC Act.
"The Bar is also seeking a prohibition order to restrain Anwar, the JAC and the government from appointing Ahmad Terrirudin to any office-bearer position in the judiciary pending the full and final disposal of the judicial review proceedings," she said.
On Dec 5, last year, Chief Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh said Anwar's appointment of Ahmad Terrirudin to the nine-member JAC was within his discretion and could not be contested.
He said under the JAC Act, the prime minister has the prerogative to appoint the fifth member from the apex court without needing the commission's approval.
Ahmad Terrirudin has been appointed to the JAC for two years by the prime minister under Paragraph 5(1)(e) of the JAC Act, effective Nov 15, 2025, until Nov 14, 2027.
He filled the vacancy following the mandatory retirement of Justice Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof last month at the age of 66, after a six-month extension. – February 16, 2026
