Nazri, also a former law minister, earlier demanded Tengku Maimun furnish proof and suggested that she be investigated over the allegation.

“The government should stop pretending that it wants an independent judiciary and yet can’t stomach an honest suggestion from the chief justice,” Zaid said in a post on X.

Nazri had defended the current system, saying it was based on long-standing British legal conventions that were incorporated into the Federal Constitution during independence with input from legal experts.

In 2009, the system was further enhanced through the creation of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to promote transparency in the appointment process.

Nazri pointed out that Tengku Maimun was also appointed under the same system and asked why she had accepted it without issue then but questioned it now, when she is about to retire.

However, Zaid said she was absolutely right and called it “childish” for Nazri to suggest that Tengku Maimun’s appointment under the same system should disqualify her from commenting on the matter now.

He also claimed that under the JAC Act, the prime minister could “endlessly reject” the names proposed by the commission.

“This opens the door wide for the prime minister to appoint his choice. If that’s what the government wants, then do away with commission,” Zaid said.

Tengku Maimun will retire on reaching the mandatory retirement age of 66 on June 30, unless the Yang di-Pertuan Agong extends her tenure by up to six months as permitted by the constitution.

On April 8, when delivering the keynote address at the 24th Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta, Tengku Maimun called for the prime minister to no longer have a role in judicial appointments.

She said this would reinforce the impartiality of the process and ensure appointments are merit-based and free from political influence.