On duty: Johari (left) and Amir Hamzah covering roles in meantime.
PUTRAJAYA: The government is not short of replacement candidates to take over vacant ministerial posts, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said permanent appointments must be made in accordance with the Federal Constitution.
“There is no need to rush. Some people are saying that the government does not have (credible) candidates to appoint, so it has to rely on acting ministers. That’s not true.
“They (Amir Hamzah and Johari) are simply covering these roles until new appointments are made.
“It’s unfortunate when opposition MPs can’t understand that,” he told reporters after performing Friday prayers at Surau Ar-Rahim here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Ministers Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (pic) and Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan have been appointed to perform the duties and functions of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry and Economy Ministry, respectively,
This follows the resignations of Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli after both of them failed to retain their party positions in the PKR elections in May.
Amir Hamzah has been acting Economy Minister since June 27 while Johari took over the duties and functions of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister from yesterday.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, who also serves as the Cabinet secretary, said Johari’s appointment was conveyed during the Cabinet meeting on July 9.
Anwar urged all parties to give Amir Hamzah and Johari space to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
On a separate matter, the Prime Minister reiterated that he has never interfered in the affairs of the judiciary, including the appointment of judges or any court decisions.
“The process of judicial appointments must be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and established jurisdiction.
“For more than two and a half years (as Prime Minister), I have never interfered. What is important is that we adhere to the process,” he said.
Commenting on the Malaysian Bar’s intention to organise a peaceful assembly and march on July 14, Anwar said it was the decision of the organisers.
Anwar also said the issue of judicial independence has already been explained by the Attorney General (Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“If there were proposals to change the mechanism for judicial appointments, it would need to be done through amendments to the Constitution.
“For this area (judicial appointments), we follow the process that has been practised,” he said.
Responding to Umno’s statement urging for the implementation of the house arrest order for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Anwar said the government respects the views of all parties regarding the royal addendum issue.
“However, the document is subject to judicial process and it is still under court proceedings.
“This additional document is a court matter now, no issue. Let the court handle it.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We respect that but (we) must follow due process,” he added.
Yesterday, Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the request followed confirmation of the additional document’s existence by the Attorney General.
Last Wednesday, the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) did not dispute the existence of the additional document which would allow Najib to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest.
However, the AGC contested the procedure for submitting the document as new evidence in Najib’s judicial review application at the High Court.
