Its president George Varughese said the government should prioritise other steps to reform the judiciary and other institutions without the need for the two-thirds majority support in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.

“The Malaysian Bar is cognisant of the many challenges that the government must overcome in fulfilling its election pledges and in meeting the citizens’ enormous expectations, and wish to recognise the various steps it has taken to strengthen our institutions and further the rule of law since coming into power, but more still must be done,” he said in a statement.

He was responding to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong, who said the government’s proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 66 to 70 required an amendment to Article 125 of the constitution.

Varughese said any constitutional amendment should get the support of at least two-thirds of the MPs and senators.

“The fact that the government does not currently hold the two-thirds majority in the Dewan Negara may prove to be an obstruction in bringing the aforesaid amendment to pass,” he added.

Pakatan Harapan and its allies in Sabah hold 126 of the 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, short of 23 more to reach the supermajority.

Varughese said the Bar was ready to lend its skills and resources to assist the government in institutional and legislative reforms.