KUALA LUMPUR – The proposal to form a judicial tribunal dominated discussions during a closed-door meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan Harapan (PH) Members of Parliament this afternoon, as pressure mounts over judicial appointments and the alleged leak of confidential documents.
Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said briefed MPs on the matter under Article 125 of the Federal Constitution, according to Communications Minister and PKR Information Chief Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Sinar Harian reported.
“Azalina was also present to provide clarification,” Fahmi told reporters after the hour-long session at the prime minister’s official residence in Seri Perdana, Putrajaya.
Fahmi declined to elaborate on further details, saying more would be shared during his regular Wednesday media briefing.
“I believe what was conveyed by Anwar was well received by the PH MPs,” he added.
The meeting, which began at 4.30pm, was attended by key PH leaders including DAP secretary-general and Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Amanah president and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, PH secretary-general and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Prime Minister Anwar, when approached by reporters afterwards, responded with a thumbs up and a brief, “Very good,” before departing.
The gathering came on the heels of a similar session with Barisan Nasional MPs last Friday, aimed at aligning coalition lawmakers on contentious national matters including the future of the RON95 fuel subsidy, new tax proposals, and the judiciary.
Absent from yesterday’s meeting was former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who explained that he was already aware of the contents of the discussion.
“I was privy to the explanation in the past few months, so I would imagine that the prime minister would explain the same thing. Before this, the issue was not national and the explanation was limited to just a few of us,” he told Malaysiakini.
“I think that is the reason the prime minister prefers to hold a closed-door meeting with the MPs rather than addressing it publicly, because he feels there is some sensitive information that I was privy to in previous months, way back before I resigned,” he added.
Also not in attendance was Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, who was in Singapore for a pre-scheduled engagement.
The meeting came amid intense public scrutiny over judicial independence following the retirement of former Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim. Acting roles are currently held by Tan Sri Hasnah Hashim and Datuk Zabariah Yusof, respectively.
Prior to the meeting, sources told Scoop that MPs reaffirmed their support for Anwar and reminded him that the Constitution grants him final authority on judicial appointments.
“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,” one senior MP said.
Azalina has since clarified that Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) recommendations are not binding and any final decision must comply with Article 122B of the Constitution. A decision is expected only after the Conference of Rulers meets from July 15 to 17.
Calls for transparency have intensified following the leak of documents purportedly reflecting JAC deliberations. The materials resemble a police report lodged on behalf of a senior judge, alleging attempts at judicial interference.
Police are currently investigating the leak under the Official Secrets Act, Penal Code, and Communications and Multimedia Act.
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari urged Anwar to publicly address the claims, while DAP’s Lim Lip Eng warned that inaction could erode trust in the confidentiality of government processes. Former law minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, however, asserted that responsibility lies with the JAC, not the executive.
Rafizi, who has pushed for a Royal Commission of Inquiry, also raised alarm over elite influence in the judiciary, likening the current atmosphere to the 1988 judicial crisis.
“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, calling for a delay in key appointments until proper legal and constitutional questions are resolved.
The PH MPs also touched on the broader reform agenda of the Madani government and ongoing preparations for the national budget. – July 14, 2025