PUTRAJAYA, Jan 15 – Judges have the independence to make decisions based solely on the facts and law without any fear of the political or social outcome of their decisions, says Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.
Justice Tengku Maimun said unlike politicians, judges do not, and indeed, cannot answer to or be governed by political will or popularity.
“A judge is meant to be an independent constitutional arbiter of justice between the State and its subjects (and vice versa) as well as between subjects inter se.
“His or her loyalty is apparent in a constitutionally-ordained judicial oath taken to protect, preserve and defend the Federal Constitution,” she said when delivering her speech at the Opening of the Legal Year 2024 at Putrajaya International Convention (PICC).
On the public prosecutor’s decision to withdraw criminal charges against certain high-profile individuals in the recent past including last year, Justice Tengku Maimun said these decisions were not particularly received well by the public but a large part of the blame was put on the Judiciary for making the only available consequential orders upon the withdrawal of such charges.
