KUALA LUMPUR (July 10): Preliminary comparative research on the appointment of judges in several selected countries will be conducted as a step towards reforms of Malaysia’s judiciary system.

The Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department said that the research involving the United Kingdom, India, Australia and Singapore, which have similar judiciary systems, would provide a holistic understanding about the appointment process of judges in these countries.

“The comparative study is also aimed at evaluating an effective model for judicial appointments, identify best practices and recommending suitable changes for Malaysia in the context of a constitutional monarchy and in line with the Federal Constitution,” the division said in a statement on Thursday.

A preliminary discussion on the matter was held on Thursday involving Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Legal Review Select Committee chairman Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol, Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reform Select Committee William Leong Jee Keen.

The discussion was held regarding public concerns about the country’s judicial reforms to ensure the institution’s integrity, during which both select committee chairmen voiced concern about the latest developments on judicial appointments and stressed the importance of a deeper evaluation to ensure that the process was more transparent.

The division also said that it welcomed public feedback as part of the inclusive approach used by the study.

“The inclusive approach is vital to ensure all perspectives are taken into consideration before the results are presented for the Cabinet’s consideration. The Government remains committed to strengthening public confidence in implementing reforms based on transparency,” the division added.

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