Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim spent close to two hours in a no-holds-barred meeting with Pakatan Harapan MPs at his official residence in Putrajaya today with a focus on controversies mounted against the judiciary.
Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan told Malaysiakini that Anwar, under pressure from opposition MPs and critics calling for his resignation, took the time to explain various matters from his perspective as head of the executive.
“The prime minister provided explanations on what is happening, the current controversial issues, from his perspective,” said the DAP central executive committee member.
While declining to reveal Anwar’s exact explanations, Syahredzan (above) said they were briefed on the reasons behind the non-extension of retired chief justice Tunku Maimun Tuan Mat’s contract for six months.
“Anwar touched on procedures related to the appointment of a new chief justice and other top vacant judicial posts.
“He also discussed the alleged leak of Judicial Appointments Committee (JAC) meeting minutes,” said Syahredzan in reference to a purported document which contained serious allegations of judicial interference involving a senior judge.
Anwar also took the time to answer questions from the MPs in attendance, he added.
“It was an open and frank discussion, no holds barred. I am personally satisfied with what the prime minister had explained to us,” said the lawyer turned lawmaker.
Candidates for vacant top judge posts
Another PKR MP who requested anonymity revealed that the discussion had touched on the names of senior judges being considered to fill the vacant positions.
“It was a good discussion and all the MPs present were satisfied with Anwar's explanation,” the senior lawmaker told Malaysiakini.
Earlier today, Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said he would not be attending the meeting, citing familiarity with the explanation Anwar would be providing.
However, Malaysiakini learnt that other PKR MPs who signed a joint statement demanding a royal commission of inquiry into allegations against the judiciary attended the meeting.
Announcement coming
Taking to Facebook, Subang MP Wong Chen shared that he had spoken up during the meeting.
”I have just returned home from Putrajaya. I spoke at the meeting with the PM and Harapan MPs.
”Wait for the news; there will be an announcement in a couple of days,” he said.
Anwar’s meeting with Harapan MPs today also coincided with the Malaysian Bar’s march from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister’s Office, aimed at defending judicial independence.
Previously, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reformns) Azalina Osman Said urged parties calling for urgent appointments to fill top judicial positions to wait for the conclusion of the 269th Conference of Rulers meeting set to happen tomorrow until July 17. - Mkini
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