THE government is undertaking a comprehensive, evidence-based comparative study of judicial appointment models from other countries to enhance the transparency and independence of Malaysia’s judicial appointment process, Parliament was told.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the comparisons were done with the United Kingdom, Singapore, Australia and India.
She said the effort is being led by the Legal Affairs Division under the Prime Minister’s Department and involves inclusive engagement sessions with key stakeholders.
“They include the judiciary, Bar Council, MPs from both sides, institutions of higher learning, constitutional experts, civil society organisations as well the public.
“This approach is intended to ensure that judicial appointments are carried out in a more transparent and independent manner, in line with the principles of the Federal Constitution,” she said in a written reply to Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) on measures to improve the judicial appointment process to uphold the doctrine of separation of powers.
