PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim today gave his assurance that the unity government will continue to defend the country’s judicial independence at all costs.

He also rubbished allegations the state’s executive branch was interfering with due process and strong-arming the judiciary.

“There is not one iota of truth in these scurrilous allegations, which are now being repeated ad nauseam on social media. 

“Let me reiterate what I have said before: as prime minister, not only have I not encroached upon even a single inch of the sacred terrain of the judiciary, but I shall defend, at all costs, the independence of the judiciary,” he said at the 14th Asean Law Association General Assembly 2023.

He said there was a time when certain black sheep in the judiciary, working hand in glove with certain powers that be, committed gross transgressions against its very institution, feeding the virulent spread of tyranny and arbitrariness.

Anwar said the government and those in power must be held accountable for their actions.

“Shady dealings and dodgy decisions cannot be used to pull wool over the people’s eyes under the Official Secrets Act (1972).” – Bernama, October 19, 2023.