ALL Malay Rulers and Yang di-Pertua Negeri arrived at Istana Negara today to attend the 269th Meeting of the Conference of Rulers, convened to deliberate on matters concerning the position and independence of the nation’s judiciary.
Among the last dignitaries observed entering the palace were the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
Johor was represented by the Tunku Temenggong of Johor, Tunku Idris Iskandar, attending as the official representative of the Regent of Johor, Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
Tun Musa Aman, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah, was among the earliest to arrive, reaching the palace at approximately 9.10am. He was followed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Penang, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib; Sarawak’s Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar; and the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier stated that the Conference of Rulers is expected to finalise and announce the appointment of the Chief Justice today.
He stressed that the process is a constitutional function of the Conference and that the government is not involved, underscoring the administration’s commitment to non-interference in judicial matters.
The deliberations follow a peaceful march two days prior by over 600 members of the Malaysian Bar, who proceeded to the Prime Minister’s Office to demand the preservation of judicial independence.
The Bar Council called for transparency in the appointment of senior judges, including the next Chief Justice, and urged the establishment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to safeguard the judiciary’s integrity and independence.
Yesterday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, stated via an official Facebook post that the 269th Meeting of the Conference of Rulers would be chaired by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah. - July 16, 2025
