PETALING JAYA – Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on the country’s judiciary to uphold its independence amid perceived political interference in high-profile cases.
The PKR president said this is because the judiciary has undergone reforms based on the rule of law in recent years although it has long been tainted by negative perceptions.
“The country must be upright with the rule of law as this is a lawful country.
“It should not be filled with judges directed by the prime minister or political politics, similar to what has happened before (the reforms). This matter should not be taken lightly.”
Anwar, who is also Port Dickson MP, told reporters during a convention held by pro-PKR non-governmental organisation Generasi Keadilan at a hotel here this morning.
The event was held to celebrate the three generations of PKR reformists and grassroots members who have been with the party since it was formed in 1998.
Also present were former deputy prime minister and PKR advisory council chairman Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, party information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin and Generasi Keadilan chairman Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusoff.
Anwar was asked by reporters to elaborate on his speech at the event when he said there were attempts by an “old party” to undermine the judiciary.
His comments come on the heels of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) investigation into Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali after receiving reports alleging unexplained funds in his account.
Nazlan was the presiding high court judge in former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s SRC International trial at the Kuala Lumpur High Court that commenced in April 2019 and delivered the guilty verdict in July 2020.
He was also the judge who convicted and sentenced Najib on charges relating to RM42 million belonging to SRC International in July 2020. An appeal against the conviction is pending before the Federal Court.
Weighing in on the investigation, Anwar said there are elements with vested interests in defending politicians embroiled in corruption, which disrupts the judicial process of the country.
“To the judiciary, I wish to stress that the bad perception (of political interference) has gone on for too long, and now there have been trials to introduce reforms in the judicial system.
“So, I believe the people will rise to defend this. For the reformasi movement, having an independent judicial system is one of its main pillars.”
Anwar added that the people must be brave in defending judicial independence as Malaysian politicians and corporate leaders have been implicated or convicted abroad and in places such as New York, Paris, and Singapore.
“This is why we do not want only the judiciary to be independent but enforcers as well, (including) the LHDN (Inland Revenue Board), Bank Negara, MACC, and the commercial crimes division.”
Meanwhile, Wan Azizah said the highlighting of the judiciary during the event was to ensure the people do not grow tired of fighting for justice.
“We don’t want this (judicial interference) to be treated as a norm where you get lethargic or accept what is wrong with the justice system in our country.
“We want to raise the spirits of our grassroots who have been fighting for justice.” – The Vibes, May 8, 2022
