I never presented Terrirudin's name for consideration as CJ, says PM
Published: Jul 18, 2025 4:23 PM
Updated: 6:57 PM
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had never presented Federal Court judge Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh’s name for consideration to become the chief justice.
“It seems there were names, and I can mention Terrirudin, a former attorney-general who excelled in his work and is now a judge in the Federal Court.
“But he still has many years to go…his name was never presented.
“So, where did the allegations come from? From some politically-motivated lawyers. I don’t think it came from anyone else, and I hope my explanation clears the air,” Berita Harian reported him as saying today.
On July 13, former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli warned that a senior judge accused of judicial interference may become the chief justice soon.
Former attorney-general Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh
Rafizi predicted that this would start with acting Chief Justice Hasnah Hashim and acting Court of Appeal president Zabariah Yusof being officially appointed to the posts, while the implicated judge would be officially nominated as the chief judge of Malaya.
However, he noted that both Hasnah and Zabariah are on a six-month extension to their tenure, and are scheduled to retire in November and October, respectively.
READ MORE: Purported JAC meeting minutes leak
This, he said, would open the doors for the implicated judge to go up the ranks again, to become chief justice.
While Rafizi named the judge, Malaysiakini withheld his identity pending his response.
‘Stop berating me’
Yesterday, Court of Appeal judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh was named the new chief justice, with the oath-taking ceremony slated on July 28.
The Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court also confirmed two other senior judicial appointments: Federal Court judge Abu Bakar Jais as the new president of the Court of Appeal, and Court of Appeal judge Azizah Nawawi as the chief judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.
On that note, Anwar criticised his detractors and urged them to stop berating him without referring to facts.
Rafizi predicted that this would start with acting Chief Justice Hasnah Hashim and acting Court of Appeal president Zabariah Yusof being officially appointed to the posts, while the implicated judge would be officially nominated as the chief judge of Malaya.
However, he noted that both Hasnah and Zabariah are on a six-month extension to their tenure, and are scheduled to retire in November and October, respectively.
READ MORE: Purported JAC meeting minutes leak
This, he said, would open the doors for the implicated judge to go up the ranks again, to become chief justice.
While Rafizi named the judge, Malaysiakini withheld his identity pending his response.
‘Stop berating me’
Yesterday, Court of Appeal judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh was named the new chief justice, with the oath-taking ceremony slated on July 28.
The Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court also confirmed two other senior judicial appointments: Federal Court judge Abu Bakar Jais as the new president of the Court of Appeal, and Court of Appeal judge Azizah Nawawi as the chief judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.
On that note, Anwar criticised his detractors and urged them to stop berating him without referring to facts.
New chief justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh
He reminded the public that the judiciary is a critical pillar of Malaysia’s democracy, along with parliamentary democracy and constitutional rulers.
“So, who is bringing disrepute to our judiciary? What crisis are we talking about?
“I didn’t sack any judges, I didn’t send them to a tribunal, and I never interfered with any court decisions, and I never gave instructions to the chief justice or Court of Appeal judges like in the past,” Anwar mentioned.
Despite the latest developments, Rafizi reiterated that the government should still form a royal commission of inquiry and the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on the judiciary, emphasising the urgent need for reform following recent controversies.
While welcoming the new judiciary appointments, he said it did not immediately resolve existing issues surrounding judicial appointments, including the prime minister’s powers to reject recommendations made by the Judicial Appointments Committee on judicial appointments.
He reminded the public that the judiciary is a critical pillar of Malaysia’s democracy, along with parliamentary democracy and constitutional rulers.
“So, who is bringing disrepute to our judiciary? What crisis are we talking about?
“I didn’t sack any judges, I didn’t send them to a tribunal, and I never interfered with any court decisions, and I never gave instructions to the chief justice or Court of Appeal judges like in the past,” Anwar mentioned.
Despite the latest developments, Rafizi reiterated that the government should still form a royal commission of inquiry and the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on the judiciary, emphasising the urgent need for reform following recent controversies.
While welcoming the new judiciary appointments, he said it did not immediately resolve existing issues surrounding judicial appointments, including the prime minister’s powers to reject recommendations made by the Judicial Appointments Committee on judicial appointments.
Who is or is not presented by the Prime Minister to advice the Rulers on top judicial appointments should NOT be the subject of public discussion by the PM.
ReplyDelete