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| Muhyiddin: I am concerned that if integrity is no longer an important consideration in the appointment of judges, justice can be bought and sold. - Facebook Muhyiddin |
sukabumiNews.net, KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to be established to investigate allegations of abuse of power and interference in the appointment of judges in the country.
This follows the
disclosure of the minutes of the Judicial Appointments Committee (JAC) meeting
dated May 16, 2025 which were allegedly leaked to the public.
According to
Muhyiddin, the revelation is very worrying because it involves serious
allegations against the integrity of a superior court judge who reportedly
tried to influence the verdict and transfer a judge who disagreed with the
former Attorney General.
"This is a
serious allegation of abuse of power and interference in the judiciary. A
person's right and freedom to seek justice could be affected if this matter
actually occurs," he said in an official statement today, as reported by
Astro Awani.
He explained that
integrity is the main requirement in the appointment of judges as outlined under
Section 23(2)(a) of the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2009 which also
emphasises competence and experience as basic criteria.
Muhyiddin also
expressed concern over the possibility of interference by the executive branch,
especially the Prime Minister, in judicial appointments involving personal
interests in court cases.
"I am concerned
that if integrity is no longer an important consideration in the appointment of
judges, justice can be bought and sold.
"Therefore, the
Prime Minister must take moral responsibility by resigning.
"Only then can
an independent RCI be established to investigate any misconduct and
non-compliance with the law in the appointment of judges," he stressed.
Muhyiddin said that
only through an independent investigation can the people's confidence in the
judiciary as the last bastion of justice be fully restored.