THE swearing-in of MD Raus Sharif as chief justice last night is a “black moment” in Malaysia’s  judicial and constitutional history, said de facto PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim.

“The plain reading of the provisions of the Federal Constitution forbids these appointments,” Anwar said in a statement, also referring to the appointment of Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin as Court of Appeal president. 

As they are past the age limit for a Federal Court judge, their appointments have sparked controversy and prompted the Malaysian Bar to vow a legal challenge to the appointments over their unconstitutionality.  

Raus was sworn in last night as Chief Justice for three more years. He and Zulkefli were appointed as additional judges in the Federal Court on July 7 by the Prime Minister’s Office, extending their tenures by three and two years, respectively. 

Raus was appointed Malaysia’s 14th chief justice on April 1, taking over from Arifin Zakaria, who retired upon attaining the age limit of 66 years and six months on March 31. 

Anwar said the appointments were “pushed through” by Prime Minister Najib Razak despite wide protests from the legal fraternity and elected representatives.

“The resolutions passed by the Malaysian Bar at their emergency general meeting on August 3, including a declaration of no confidence in Raus, is a measure of the Bar’s grave concern over these irregular appointments. 

“These appointments highlight Najib’s continuing disregard for constitutional propriety and the rule of law in Malaysia.

“Najib’s actions are tainted by self-interest and his desperate struggle for his own political survival in the face of the biggest financial scandal in the history of our nation, in which he has been personally implicated,” said Anwar, who is also de facto leader of opposition bloc Pakistan Harapan. – August 5, 2017.