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Yesterday, we issued Circular No 247/2025 titled “Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence (14 July 2025) (Perarakan Membela Kebebasan Kehakiman)” to Members of the Malaysian Bar, announcing that a Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence (“Walk”) will take place on Monday, 14 July 2025, from the Palace of Justice (“POJ”) to the Prime Minister’s Office (“PMO”) in Putrajaya.
This decision, taken pursuant to the Resolution adopted at the 79th Annual General Meeting of the Malaysian Bar on 15 Mar 2025, follows careful deliberation by the Bar Council. 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.
The Malaysian Bar firmly rejects recent media reports, including one by The Edge titled “Walk for judicial independence scheduled for July 14, sanctioned by Bar Council”,1 which falsely portray the Walk as a protest against the Government’s decision not to extend the tenures of the former Chief Justice of Malaysia and the President of the Court of Appeal.
The Walk is not about individuals; it is a stand for institutional integrity. Any attempt to frame it otherwise is misleading and undermines the Bar’s position.
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.
This Walk is 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.
This is not just a Walk for lawyers; it is a Walk for the Judiciary, the Bar, and for every Malaysian who values justice. When judicial independence is weakened, the whole nation suffers.
Let there be no misunderstanding:
The Malaysian Bar walks not in protest of individuals, but in defence of the institution.
Not in pursuit of partisanship, but in pursuit of justice.
Not for ourselves alone, but for the public whom the courts are meant to serve.
The Judiciary is not merely a branch of Government — it is the final bulwark of justice. And it must be protected fiercely, fearlessly, and without apology.
Eyes on the Bench — to protect what must never be compromised.
Mohamad Ezri b Abdul Wahab
President
Malaysian Bar
9 July 2025
1 “Walk for judicial independence scheduled for July 14, sanctioned by Bar Council”, The Edge, 7 July 2025 (we hope this will be removed or corrected).