Fuziah Salleh: Malanjum is top judge based on merit, not race

KUANTAN: The appointment of Tan Sri Richard Malanjum as Chief Justice is based on merit and not race, says Deputy Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Religion) Fuziah Salleh.

The Kuantan MP said Malanjum was seen as the most qualified person for the post and was thus elevated.

"We appoint based on merit. If he is the most qualified, why not?" said Fuziah when asked about objections to Malanjum's appointment.

Fuziah added that Malaysians must no longer be trapped in the "divide-and-conquer mentality" of the past administration.

"The old administration used to divide us. They said it must be a Malay but no, we are the Pakatan Harapan Government.

"There is no discrimination of race. We are all Malaysians.

"So please move forward as Malaysians. This is a new Malaysia," she said after visiting the Alliance Steel plant here Friday (July 13).

The Star reported that PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan had said that Malanjum's appointment had caused unease among Muslims.