KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 16): The Malaysian bar has launched a judicial review application challenging the recent appointment of Federal Court judge and former attorney general (AG) Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh to the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).

The High Court application, dated Feb 12, named Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the JAC and the government of Malaysia as respondents.

According to the application and affidavit, the Malaysian Bar is seeking to quash Anwar’s decision to appoint Terriruddin to the JAC on Nov 15 last year, which was gazetted on Nov 18, 2025.

The Bar is also seeking a prohibition order to restrain Anwar, the JAC and the government from appointing Ahmad Terrirudin to any office-bearing position in the judiciary pending the full and final disposal of the judicial review proceedings, it said.

Further, the Bar is seeking an order to compel the JAC to establish a royal commission of inquiry to investigate allegations against Ahmad Terrirudin, with the findings to be made public.

It also wants the court to compel Anwar and other respondents to show cause for Terrirudin’s appointment.

“The applicant is also seeking an order of mandamus compelling Anwar to exercise his prerogative to appoint a member of the JAC in accordance with Malaysian law, established conventions and the JAC Act,” it said.

The Judicial Appointments Commission is a nine-member panel responsible for the selection and recommendation of judges for the superior courts.

However, Terrirudin’s appointment to the commission has been controversial as critics argue that his selection breaks long-standing conventions by bypassing a more senior judge and threatens judicial independence.

Minutes from the commission’s May 2025 meeting leaked in July that year contained serious but unresolved allegations against Terrirudin, including claims of interference in previous judicial appointments.

In its application, the Malaysian Bar is also applying for an order to compel the JAC to release and disclose the minutes of an earlier meeting held on May 16, 2025, within seven days from the disposal of the leave application.

According to a government gazette, Ahmad Terrirudin, appointed a Federal Court judge last November, will serve as a JAC member for a two-year term, from Nov 15, 2025 to Nov 14, 2027.

Terrirudin, 58, was previously a Federal Court registrar before assuming the post of solicitor general and then the AG at the Attorney General's Chambers, replacing Tan Sri Idrus Harun. Idrus is also a member of the JAC.

The Malaysian Bar had last year warned that the appointment to the JAC of Ahmad Terrirudin, who is the immediate-past attorney general and a current Federal Court judge, could erode public confidence in the judiciary.