MALAYSIAN Bar members will take to the streets to express dissatisfaction over what they claim is judicial intimidation, following the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation into Court of Appeal judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.

Bar president Karen Cheah told reporters that the motion to hold a peaceful protest was approved during an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) this afternoon.

“The Bar condemns in the strongest possible terms the unprecedented manner in which the MACC has publicly commenced an investigation into a superior court judge and disclosed the name of the judge without proper closure, which is tantamount to an act of intimidation against the judiciary.

“The Bar shall take immediate and necessary steps to organise and lead a peaceful protest at a time and venue it deems suitable.

“It also urges the attorney-general (AG), as the guardian of public interest, to take all necessary steps to protect the judiciary.”

Former Bar presidents earlier this month urged the current leadership to hold a “Walk for Justice” to defend the judiciary against alleged intimidation.

They, in a petition, said certain quarters have shown total disregard for the independence of the judiciary.

On the MACC investigation, Cheah previously told The Malaysian Insight that separating the role of the AG and public prosecutor will allow for better governance and transparency.

The anti-graft agency last month opened an investigation into “unexplained money” in Nazlan’s account.

The judge has since lodged a report to deny the allegation.

Nazlan is the judge who convicted ex-prime minister Najib Razak for misappropriating RM42 million in SRC International Sdn Bhd funds.

Cheah said 623 Bar members registered to attend the EGM today and passed the resolution with overwhelming majority.

The Bar office bearers will meet to discuss the date and venue of the protest on Sunday, she added.

“From the sentiment, many have expressed interest to walk, many will join.”

She said AG Idrus Azizan Harun has to uphold the independence of the judiciary, adding that a copy of the resolution will be sent to his office.

Former Malaysian ambassador to The Netherlands Dennis Ignatius also previously expressed solidarity with the judge.

Ignatius in an article described the Bar’s reaction towards Nazlan’s case as “disappointing” and “quibbling with words”.

He urged the Bar to organise another march to protest the slanderous allegation against the judiciary instead of issuing “a tepid and pro forma statement”.

In September 2007, about 800 lawyers marched on Putrajaya to demand judicial reforms after a scandal erupted over claims of political meddling in the appointment of judges. – May 27, 2022.