PETALING JAYA: Nurul Izzah Anwar says she joined the Malaysian Bar's march on Monday (July 14) as a "concerned Malaysian" to ensure that the Madani government continues to protect judicial integrity.
"I joined this walk as a concerned Malaysian – to listen, to witness for myself and to express solidarity with the concerns raised by the Bar Council" the PKR deputy president said in an Instagram post on Monday (July 14) night.
She also said she was no stranger to speaking up when it mattered
"Today, I must speak up again, to ensure that the Madani government continues to protect the integrity of our judiciary," she said.
Nurul Izzah explained the three branches of government – the judiciary, the executive and the legislature – exist to keep one another in check, ensuring that no single branch can operate without accountability.
"An independent judiciary is the essential bulwark against overreach by the executive, the Cabinet, and the government as a whole.
"The most crucial thing in an independent judicial system is the lack of interference from internal or external forces.
"As such, persons appointed as the Chief Justice of Malaya; President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of Malaya and the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak must not only be capable but also be of the highest moral integrity to carry out the job," she said.
On allegations of interference in the judiciary, she said this was substantiated by a police report on the matter as well as a purported leak of the Judicial Appointment Committee (JAC) meeting.
"It is important that these allegations be investigated to restore trust in our judiciary.
"Investigations can commence under Article 125 of the Federal Constitution through the establishment of an independent tribunal comprising at least five senior judges.
"Such actions will go a long way to preserve the faith in our systems," she said.
