Did Cabinet discuss Chief Justice appointment in detail?

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Cabinet Did Not Discuss Chief Justice Appointment in Detail

The Cabinet did not engage in a detailed discussion regarding the appointment of a new Chief Justice during its recent meeting. The matter was only briefly touched upon, referencing prior statements made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This occurred in the absence of the Prime Minister, who was on an international working visit.
Brief Mention of Prime Minister's Remarks

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil stated that the appointment of a new Chief Justice was not discussed in depth by the Cabinet. Instead, the discussion briefly referred to remarks made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a monthly assembly of the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) on Monday. This limited engagement indicates that no substantive deliberations took place concerning the selection of the next Chief Justice.
Absence of the Prime Minister

The Cabinet meeting was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was not present as he was undertaking a week-long working visit to Italy, France, and Brazil. His absence from the meeting meant he did not directly present or lead any detailed discussions on judicial appointments.
Chief Justice's Retirement

July 2 marked the official retirement of the incumbent Chief Justice, Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 66. This retirement creates a vacancy at the apex of the judiciary, necessitating a formal appointment process. The Prime Minister's earlier remarks highlighted that such appointments require adherence to constitutional procedures.
Prime Minister's Stance on Judicial Appointments

Prior to the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that judicial appointments and service extensions for senior civil servants, including judges, are not automatic. He stressed that these processes must follow established constitutional procedures. Furthermore, Anwar reiterated his commitment to upholding judicial independence, asserting that he has never interfered in judicial appointment matters and warning that politicising such decisions could undermine public trust in the judiciary.

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Did Cabinet discuss Chief Justice appointment in detail?

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