Jailed de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has dubbed the swearing in of Md Raus Sharif as Chief Justice last night as a “black moment” in Malaysian’s judicial and constitutional history.

“These appointments (Md Raus and Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin as president of the Court of Appeal) highlight Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s continuing disregard for constitutional propriety and the rule of law in Malaysia.

“Najib’s actions are tainted by self-interest and his desperate struggle for his own political survival in the face of the biggest financial scandal in the history of our nation, in which he has been personally implicated,” Anwar said in a statement today.

This latest action from Najib, he said, further reveal the danger posed by Najib and BN to the country’s reputation and people’s welfare...