KUALA LUMPUR, April 18: Malaysia will set up a judicial appointments commission to select judges in an overhaul of its crisis-hit justice system, reports said on Friday.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the commission would make the nomination, appointment and promotion of judges more transparent and representative, the Star daily reported.

“The Commission will help to evaluate and vet candidates in a systematic and credible manner for the Prime Minister, based on clearly defined criteria,” Abdullah said in a speech to several hundred lawyers and senior judges.

The prime minister also announced a goodwill payment to six judges including former Lord President Salleh Abbas, whose sacking in 1988 precipitated the present crisis in the legal system, the Star reported.—AFP