PUTRAJAYA must guarantee judicial independence as listed among the terms of a memorandum of understanding between the government and the opposition coalition, the Pakatan Harapan presidential council said today.

It reminded the government of article 4.1 of the memorandum which states the independence of the judiciary must be maintained at all times.

“We urge the federal government to ensure that the MOU is kept to and that the enforcement agencies will not breach the constitution and respect the independence of the judiciary.

“An independent judiciary is (a pillar of) democracy andtrusted by the people,” the council said in a statement. 

The statement was issued by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and Upko president Madius Tangau.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and PH signed a deal for reform and political stability last September.

Yesterday, Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat warned politicians against levelling unfounded accusations at the judiciary and meddling in its affairs.

She said while judges are open to criticism, especially over high-profile court cases, the recent attacks were too much. 

Tengku Maimun has been accused of agreeing to interfere in the court cases of former prime minister Najib Razak and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The office of the chief registrar of the Federal Court has lodged a police report denying the allegations.

Court of Appeal judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, who had presided over Najib’s SRC International trial, also lodged a report last week over a news article alleging he was under investigation for unexplained money in his bank account. – April 28, 2022.