PUTRAJAYA: Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat (pic) said although judges are subjected to public criticism and were accountable to those they serve, unsubstantiated accusations made against judges and the judiciary recently have really gone overboard.
She said although citizens including politicians were free to criticise the judiciary to a certain extent, it did not mean it was open to them including politicians to level unfounded and scurrilous attacks against the judiciary or a particular judge to further their own end.
Lately, she said, the courts have been dealing with high-profile cases and cases involving public interest and that it was natural for judges to receive criticisms and accusations from parties aggrieved with the decision of the court in public interest cases.
However, she said what happened recently concerning accusations against judges and the judiciary, to her view, went overboard.
“When a need arises for the judiciary to be criticised, this should be done in a manner that is constructive and does not undermine its independence and public confidence in the judiciary,” she said in her speech at the swearing-in ceremony of 17 judicial commissioners who were confirmed as High Court judges.
Tengku Maimun said no one should sow the seeds of doubts among the public concerning the integrity of the judiciary or judges.
The chief justice said judges were subjected to scrutiny and that was why they write judgments so that they can be read, analysed, discussed and debated.
Tengku Maimun said it was important to emphasise that the judiciary is the last line of defence in a constitutional democracy and there must never be a suspicion that the judiciary is captured.
She said judges should not give up and be discouraged when performing their duties in accordance with the principles of law, adding that the integrity of the justice system and the independence of the judiciary can never be compromised under any circumstances.
“Come what may, we must remain strong and resilient and be steadfast in upholding the rule of law.
"Whilst, we cannot control the words or actions of some quarters who are bent on tarnishing or destroying the image of the judiciary, it is within our control to ensure that no one meddles in our affairs.
"In other words, there can be no interference in the judiciary if we judges do not allow that to happen,” she said.
