By Viswa
PUTRAJAYA, July 14: Hundreds of lawyers and supporters began a march today, from the Palace of Justice here towards the Prime Minister’s Office, called “Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence” (The Walk) to express their unhappiness over the state of the judiciary n the country.
“The Walk is being held to voice grave institutional concerns regarding the state of the Judiciary, the pressing issue of prolonged vacancies, the need for leadership continuity, and to urge reforms to safeguard the independence of one of our most vital democratic institutions,” Malaysian Bar President Mohamad Ezri b Abdul Wahab said in a statement issued last week, urging members of the Bar and also the public to participate in The Walk.
He said the Bar Council had carefully deliberated before deciding on The Walk, following a resolution adopted at the 79th Annual General Meeting of the Malaysian Bar on March 15 this year.
“The Bar’s focus is on the structural and systemic issues affecting the Judiciary. Recent developments — including unexplained delays in appointments and troubling references to possible interference in judicial affairs — have raised deep concerns. The public is entitled to a Judiciary that is not only independent, but seen to be independent. Anything less undermines confidence in the administration of justice,” he said.
He said it would be a lawful, peaceful, and symbolic act of civic responsibility.
“It reflects the legal profession’s unwavering commitment to uphold the Federal Constitution, the separation of powers, and the rule of law. It is a collective statement that judicial independence is not negotiable, and that the Judiciary must be insulated from external influence, whether political, Executive, or otherwise.”
He also said the march was not in protest of individuals, but in defence of judicial independence.
The Judiciary is not merely a branch of Government — it is the final bulwark of justice. And it must be protected fiercely, fearlessly.
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