Challenge judicial appointments in court, Azalina tells critics

Those who think that the appointments of Chief Justice Md Raus Sharif and Court of Appeal president Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin as additional judges were unconstitutional could challenge the move in court.

This is the opinion of the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said when addressing concerns raised after the judicial appointments of the duo.

"Any party who is of the view that the appointment of the chief justice is unconstitutional can bring the matter to court in accordance with the existing law," she said.

Azalina defended the appointment, claiming that it is in line with Article 122(1A) of the Federal Constitution.

"This provision clearly states that the appointment of the additional judges is the absolute power of Yang di-Pertuan Agong upon the advice of the chief justice," she stressed.

"The constitution does not prohibit any additional judge appointed to the Federal Court to continue to hold any position," she added.

As such, she urged all parties to stop making it a polemical issue.

"In the meantimes, all parties should respect the appointment of the two additional judges, which was approved by Agong," she said.

[More to follow]

-Mkini