KUALA LUMPUR (July 9): The Malaysian Bar has clarified that its planned "Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence" on July 14 is to voice its grave concerns about the country's judiciary and to stand for institutional integrity, and not about specific individuals.
The decision, its president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said in a statement on Wednesday (July 9), was made based on the resolution that the Malaysian Bar adopted at its annual general meeting on March 15.
"The walk is being held to voice grave institutional concerns regarding the state of the judiciary, the pressing issue of prolonged vacancies, the need for leadership continuity, and to urge reforms to safeguard the independence of one of our most vital democratic institutions," the statement read.
Mohamad Ezri said the Malaysian Bar firmly rejects recent media reports, including one by The Edge titled “Walk for judicial independence scheduled for July 14, sanctioned by Bar Council”, which he said had portrayed the walk as a protest against the government’s decision not to extend the tenures of the former Chief Justice of Malaysia and the President of the Court of Appeal.
"Let there be no misunderstanding: The Malaysian Bar walks not in protest of individuals, but in defence of the institution. Not in pursuit of partisanship, but in pursuit of justice. Not for ourselves alone, but for the public whom the courts are meant to serve," Mohamad Ezri said.
The Edge's report wrote that lawyers were planning the walk to protest the government's decision not to extend the terms of former chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, following concerns about the lack of clear successors for the two judicial leaders, whose retirements were just a day apart — on July 2 and July 3, respectively.
Subsequently, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohamed Hashim assumed the CJ's task and responsibility, while Federal Court judge Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof took over the task and responsibility of the post left vacant by Abang Iskandar. However, both Zabariah and Hasnah are scheduled to retire in October and November, respectively.
In its Wednesday statement, Mohamad Ezri said the Bar's focus is on the structural and systemic issues affecting the judiciary.
Highlighting recent developments — including unexplained delays in appointments and troubling references to possible interference in judicial affairs — that have raised deep concerns, he said the public is entitled to a judiciary that is not only independent, but seen to be independent.
"Anything less undermines confidence in the administration of justice. This walk is a lawful, peaceful, and symbolic act of civic responsibility. It reflects the legal profession’s unwavering commitment to uphold the Federal Constitution, the separation of powers, and the rule of law. It is a collective statement that judicial independence is not negotiable, and that the judiciary must be insulated from external influence, whether political, executive, or otherwise.
He added that the judiciary is not merely a branch of government, but the final bulwark of justice that "must be protected fiercely, fearlessly, and without apology".