KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with PH MPs this afternoon is expected to be a “passionate” one, with MPs assuring him of their support in the midst of external interferences in the running of the country.
Sources close to today’s meeting at his official residence, Seri Perdana, said the appointment of the chief justice will take central position, as MPs express their concerns of third parties attempting to usurp the powers of the Prime Minister in the appointment of the new CJ.
“He will be reminded that as the PM, he has the ultimate say on judicial appointments.
“Everyone has their preference and agenda, but the PM needs to make a decision that is in the best interest of the people and country,” said a senior source.
The meeting at the official residence in Putrajaya is scheduled to take place at 4.30pm.
The MPs are expected to declare their support for Anwar in carrying out his duties as prime minister.
“The constitution gives the prime minister the power to make such decisions. Ultimately, the constitution is supreme.”
Former chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and the president of the Court of Appeal Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim have both recently retired.
Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Hashim is now serving as acting chief justice, while Federal Court judge Datuk Zabariah Yusof is the acting Court of Appeal president.
Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, the former economy minister who, with eight other PKR MPs, had called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry ( RCI), is expected to attend and repeat his request.
Former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad will not be attending as he is in Singapore for a prior engagement.
The meeting is also expected to touch on other issues that were also raised at Anwar’s meeting with BN MPs on Friday.
These include the removal of petrol subsidies, the imposition of SST and preparations for the impending budget.
“They are also expected to discuss the reform agenda after three years of the Madani government.”
Leaked ‘minutes’ spark calls for accountability
The circulation of alleged Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting minutes over the weekend has intensified scrutiny over possible judicial interference, prompting calls for accountability from across the political divide.
The documents reportedly mirror a leaked police report lodged last month on behalf of a senior judge, which accused certain parties of judicial interference.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirmed that an investigation is underway under the Official Secrets Act 1972, the Penal Code, and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, focusing on the source of the leak and how it spread online.
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has demanded that Anwar publicly address the allegations, warning that failure to do so – if the claims prove true – should prompt his resignation. DAP’s Lim Lip Eng echoed the urgency, stressing that inaction would endanger the sanctity of confidential government deliberations.
Speaking to Scoop, former law minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, however, maintained that responsibility lies with the JAC, not the government, questioning why the executive was being held accountable for the leak.
Amid the growing pressure, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said clarified that JAC recommendations are not legally binding and that appointments must comply with Article 122B of the Federal Constitution.
She added that any decision on the next chief justice will only be made after the Conference of Rulers, which convenes from July 15 to 17.
Late yesterday evening, Rafizi warned that ultra-wealthy elites may be seeking to influence court outcomes.
He likened the current situation to the lead-up to the 1988 judicial crisis, expressing concern over the tone of recent Cabinet discussions on judicial matters.
“My fear is that the same people behind the VK Lingam scandal are once again trying to reconstitute the judiciary in a way that ensures they win when their big cases go through,” he said, urging the government to delay any controversial appointments until legal and constitutional questions are properly addressed. – July 14, 2025