DEPUTY de facto law minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin accepted a memorandum on judiciary independence from the Malaysian Bar at Padang Merbok in Kuala Lumpur today.

This comes after police had stopped the lawyers from marching to Parliament. 

More than 300 lawyers who participated in the Walk For Judicial Independence were earlier prevented from marching to Parliament to deliver the memorandum at 10.30am.

Mas Ermieyati accepted the memorandum on behalf of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob from Bar president Karen Cheah. 

“Thanks for all the cooperation. I apologise for the inconvenience. I will hand it over (memorandum) to law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and the prime minister. 

“Hopefully, justice and the judiciary in this country will continue to be strengthened,” she said at the gathering.

Cheah then called for all the lawyers to disperse from the car park at 11.30am. 

As for the Bar’s demands, she said the memorandum had four demands. 

“We want the judiciary’s independence to be upheld, we want the government to preserve the public’s confidence in our judicial system and we want to condemn the actions of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). 

“We also want possible legislative reforms to set the parameters so that allegations against sitting judges can be done in a manner that does not erode judicial confidence.” 

Cheah said that their counterparts in Sabah and Sarawak also supported their march today. 

“They will be sending a letter, issuing a statement and will be with us in spirit. We are jointly doing this.” 

She said that on May 27, the Bar, in its extraordinary general meeting, agreed to condemn the actions of the MACC in investigating a judge. 

“We, the Malaysian Bar, view this as an intimidation of the judiciary. Is this a breach of the fundamental principal of separation of powers? We are all here to express our condemnation of the actions of the MACC.” 

Cheah added that they want the judges to be sitting in an environment where they are able to exercise their judiciary duties without fear or favour. 

This, she said, was crucial for judicial independence and that the public can maintain confidence in the judicial system. 

“This is important not just for lawyers. It is important for every citizen in the country. It is important for investors who to invest in our country. 

“It is only when our judicial system is independent, only then they have faith and are able to come to our country with confidence.” 

Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat in April said criticism towards judges and the judiciary has gone overboard. 

While judges are open to criticism, especially concerning high profile cases, the recent attacks are too much, she added. 

“The judiciary has been dealing with high profile and public interest cases of late. 

“It is normal for judges to receive criticism from parties who are unhappy with the decisions of the courts. 

“However, the criticism levelled at judges and the judiciary, in my opinion, has gone overboard.” 

MACC opened an investigation into Court of Appeal judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali over alleged unexplained money in his bank account. 

Nazlan was the judge who convicted former prime minister Najib Razak over the misappropriation of RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd funds. 

The Malaysia Today blog claimed the judge is being investigated for an “unexplained” RM1 million in his bank account. – June 17, 2022.