KUALA LUMPUR – The country’s judicial independence will always be defended, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim despite acknowledging “disconcerted rumblings” over the executive arm’s supposed interference.
Speaking during the keynote address at the Asean Law Association (ALA) general assembly and the Asean Law Conference 2023, today, Anwar opined that rumblings were not necessarily reflective of the majority.
He said that there have been allegations that “the executive arm of the organs of state is committing the same shenanigans – 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 nauseum in 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.
However, Anwar admitted that there was a period in the country’s history where certain “black sheep” existed within the judiciary.
“(They) were working hand in glove with certain powers that be to commit gross transgressions against its very institution, bringing infamy and disrepute on the one hand and feeding the virulent spread of tyranny and arbitrariness on the other.
“Trust me, this was certainly no enlightened despotism,” he said without making any specific references.
Anwar also reiterated the need for the government to be transparent in line with the principle of open government.
“Hence, shady dealings and dodgy decisions cannot be used to pull the wool over the people’s eyes in the name of the Official Secrets Act.
Then there is the doctrine that laws must be fair and just and that all must have accessibility to the hallowed halls of justice.
“Speaking of which, at the risk of sounding like a broken record – let me once again underscore the paramount importance of an independent, impartial, and competent judiciary.
“As the very bulwark of justice itself, such a judiciary is a sine qua non (indispensable) of the rule of law,” he said.
He also called on politicians across both sides to avoid turning political disagreements into disruption and discord, given that the people on the street are fed up with politics.
“Over the past five years, this country has had more than its fair share of politics. In and of itself, political contestation isn’t a bad thing.
“I, for one, would not urge the people to remain passive in the face of attempts to subvert the people’s choice.
“They (The people) are weary of the bickering and grandstanding, the constant spin and positioning.
“What they long for is honest effort and real results. What they crave is real, roll-up-your sleeves leadership, not political theatre.
“What they need is progress over pettiness.”
He acknowledged while there are good opposition leaders who are principled with different views, there will always be disagreements between both sides.
“We may differ in perspective, but we share a vision of service to something greater than ourselves.
“There will be disagreements between us. Vigorous debate is the heartbeat of democracy. But there also comes a point where disagreements descend into disruption and discord.
“This is something that we all must strive to avert,” he added. — October 19, 2023