Anwar's own lawmakers call him out as judicial crisis heats up

9 PKR MPs demand inquiry, a stance that could signal loss of confidence in the PM

- Azril Annuar

KUALA LUMPUR - A growing group of lawmakers, including those from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), have called him out over the delayed appointments of the chief justice (CJ) and the Court of Appeal president, as well as other judicial matters.

On July 7, nine MPs from PKR, led by its former deputy president Rafizi Ramli, signed a joint statement demanding a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the matter that has raised worries about judicial interference and for Datuk Seri Anwar to give an explanation.

The open stance taken by the nine out of PKR's 31 MPs - or 29 per cent - is unusual, and could be read as a loss of confidence in Mr Anwar, who is halfway through his five-year term. PKR is the linchpin of Malaysia's multi-party governing coalition.

"The controversy regarding the judiciary remains unanswered," Datuk Seri Rafizi told a press conference on July 7 when releasing the statement.

"As MPs, it is our duty to defend the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers between the three government bodies, which are the legislative, the executive and the judiciary."

He also said that the concerns raised over the judicial appointments are as serious as the huge 2002 scandal involving Mr V.K. Lingam, when a video recording emerged showing the senior lawyer telling someone on the phone that he had influenced the appointment of key judges.

Seven of the nine MPs who signed the statement were present at the news conference, including former environment minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.