Rushing to amend the Federal Constitution would be reckless

Suggestions made by several lawyers to curtail the powers of the Prime Minister in the process of judicial appointments represent a clear departure from Westminster-style democracy.

What we are having now is, in fact, a replica of what the United Kingdom is practising. It is unfair to pin everything down to one man when we have already heard the palace on this issue: stop politicising until the facts are established.

At best, the proposal lacks careful consideration. One cannot help but wonder why such a suggestion has been made in the open —is it an attempt to weaponise the appointment of a Chief Justice who may not align with certain criteria, thereby directing further criticism towards Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim? This is my honest opinion.

This move, made by Anwar’s critics, appears to be a clear effort to politicise judicial appointments—ironically, at a time when those same individuals are advocating for the appointment of the Chief Justice and other senior judges as soon as possible.

Curtailing the powers of a sitting Prime Minister would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament, and such a change cannot be pursued hastily without a thorough study carried out.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Azalina Othman, has already stated that the matter is currently under review, and thus the King’s decree must be respected.

In my humble opinion, the lawyers’ suggestion would only exacerbate the crisis within our judiciary system. Is that truly what we want to see happen?