THE power to appoint members of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) should be removed from the prime minister and be handed to other institutions, said Negri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

He said that such a move was needed to ensure the body’s independence, and suggested that the appointments are made by other institutions with no personal interests. 

“To ensure JAC is free in carrying out its responsibilities, I propose that the appointment of the five members not be done by the prime minister,” he said in his address to the Conference of Malay Rulers’ 260th meeting this morning.”

“Instead, this power should be given to institutions like the Bar Council, Sabah Law Society, Advocates Association of Sarawak and the parliamentary select committee. 

“With such a method, the membership of the JAC will be more balanced and will not champion the interest of any party,” he said.

He chaired the meeting at Istana Negara. 

The JAC’s functions include selecting suitably qualified people who merit appointment as judges of the superior court for the prime minister’s consideration, formulating and implementing the selection and appointment mechanisms, and to make other recommendations about the judiciary. –  November 30, 2022.