00:01Former Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has cautioned that perceived inconsistencies in the upcoming retirements of top judges
00:08could intensify public debate on judicial independence.
00:13Rafizi asked why Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Maat and Court of Appeal President Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim,
00:19who are set to retire tomorrow and the day after respectively, were not granted six-month extensions.
00:25Of the seven judges due to retire over the next six months, four having granted extensions,
00:30Chief Judge of Malaya Hasna Hashim, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdurrahman Sebli,
00:36and Federal Court Judges Zabara Yusuf and Hanifa Farikula.
00:40Rafizi said his remarks were not political but stemmed from concerns expressed by many in the legal profession who had personally reached out to him.
00:48He said it's a reasonable concern considering that the possible vacancy of over half the federal court bench
00:54could significantly slow down court proceedings.
00:57Rafizi urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim not to dismiss concerns from the legal fraternity,
01:02saying they were rooted in institutional considerations.
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