What specific reforms does the Bar Council propose for the JAC Act?

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Bar Council Proposes Reforms to Enhance Judicial Appointments Commission's Effectiveness

The Malaysian Bar Council advocates for significant reforms to the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) Act 2009, primarily to reduce political influence in judicial appointments and diversify the commission's composition. The proposed changes aim to strengthen the JAC's role in selecting judges, ensuring a more independent and representative judiciary.
Limiting Prime Ministerial Discretion in Appointments

Currently, the Prime Minister holds the ultimate authority in judicial appointments, with the power to reject recommendations made by the JAC. The Bar Council proposes that the Prime Minister be granted only one opportunity to request a reconsideration or reject a recommendation. This request must be accompanied by a written statement of reasons provided to the JAC. Following this, the JAC would be tasked with reconsidering its recommendation based on the Prime Minister's written feedback, with the option to resubmit the original candidate or propose a new one. Upon this second deliberation, the Prime Minister would be obligated to accept the JAC's final decision, thereby curtailing unchecked political intervention in the selection process.
Diversifying JAC Membership

A second key proposal from the Bar Council concerns the composition of the JAC itself. The current structure predominantly consists of serving and former judges. To foster a more inclusive and comprehensive vetting process, the Bar Council suggests augmenting the commission with five additional members. These new members would be drawn from diverse backgrounds, including academics, professionals, and representatives from civil society, in addition to the existing four judicial office bearers. This broadened representation is intended to ensure that judicial appointments reflect a wider spectrum of societal perspectives.

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What specific reforms does the Bar Council propose for the JAC Act?

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