THE Malaysian Bar passed a motion of no confidence in Attorney-General Idrus Harun at its extraordinary general meeting (EGM) today.

Free Malaysia Today reported that the move came after the alleged attacks against Court of Appeal judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali, who had sentenced former prime minister Najib Razak to jail for graft in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case.

Bar president Karen Cheah said they are looking at Idrus’ tenure as AG.

“There are several options available to us should Idrus’ contract be extended again.

“I don’t think we have decided which option we will take,” she said without revealing more.

Cheah said a copy of the motion would be presented to the relevant ministries to encourage and promote the objectives they want to carry.

On March 5, Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali announced the reappointment of Idrus as the AG for six months, effective March 6.

The Malaysian Bar, at the EGM, has also been mandated to give notice to the AG to bring contempt proceedings against those responsible for attacks on the judiciary.

“Failing which, the Bar Council shall consider, and if deemed fit, to commence contempt proceedings, or any other proceedings or actions in affirmation of the resolutions above,” Cheah said.

Last month, senior lawyers called for contempt proceedings to be initiated against any party that interferes with the judiciary, including those who try to usurp powers to investigate judges.

They said this in reference to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) probe into Nazlan.

The anti-graft agency had concluded that Nazlan had a conflict of interest in the SRC International case involving Najib.

The lawyers said MACC had no jurisdiction to investigate the conduct of a judge, which fell under the judges’ code of ethics and required a judicial response.  

The Malaysian Bar also said it deplored MACC for producing the report, the timing and the manner in which it was released, and the purported conclusion contained therein, which was not within the purview of MACC’s powers.

They also chided Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman Said for allegedly undermining the judiciary’s independence.

Azalina confirmed MACC’s report on Nazlan in a letter dated March 20 to Najib’s solicitors, Shafee & Co.

Based on MACC’s findings dated February 20, Azalina said Nazlan had violated the judges’ code of ethics and had a conflict of interest.

Shafee & Co had written to Azalina on March 15, enquiring whether MACC had established a conflict of interest and, if so, had it written to Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat to recommend that Nazlan be disciplined. – May 10, 2023.