PUTRAJAYA: The closed-door meeting with Pakatan Harapan MPs at Seri Perdana was described as positive by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
As Anwar came out from the meeting, he put his thumbs up and told the press that the discussion, which touched on several matters including judiciary-related concerns, was “very good”.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said was also present during the session.
According to him, Azalina briefed lawmakers on Article 125 of the Federal Constitution, which pertains to the tenure and remuneration of Federal Court judges.
“The meeting with MPs was very, very good. It was well received and God willing, we will look into the matters raised.
“Datuk Seri Azalina was there to provide clarification on constitutional matters, particularly Article 125, including the formation of a judicial tribunal,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Fahmi declined to confirm the attendance of specific individuals, stating: “I do not have the attendance list. I was seated at the back.”
Former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and former Cabinet minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad were not present at the meeting.
Nik Nazmi, who is the MP for Setiawangsa, clarified that he was on a working trip in Singapore.
Rafizi’s aide confirmed that the former economy minister did not attend the briefing.
Fahmi added that further details would be addressed at the post-Cabinet press conference.
One Pakatan MP, speaking anonymously, said many MPs voiced concerns during the meeting – particularly about how the vacancy for the Chief Justice was left open after Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat’s retirement on July 2 – had been handled.
“Several MPs criticised the delay in naming a replacement, saying it gave the Opposition room to attack the government. The Prime Minister informed us that the vacancy will be filled soon,” the MP said.
A Pakatan Cabinet minister, also speaking anonymously, said the main concern raised was about negative public perception surrounding the judiciary issue.
“However, the MPs, from various parties, have urged Anwar to handle the matter more transparently, as the Opposition is capitalising on it politically. They lamented that better public relations was needed to explain the matter clearly.
“No one was emotional, the meeting was done in a very calm manner,” said the minister.
Earlier, several cars belonging to Pakatan ministers were seen entering the Seri Perdana complex compound.
Among them were Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
Last Friday, Barisan Nasional MPs met Anwar in a closed-door briefing on the raging debate over the top vacancies in the judiciary.
