ANYONE with information on judicial misconduct is to write to Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat personally, so she can investigate, the new head of the judiciary said in her address during her investiture at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya today.

“In the event there is any allegation of misconduct on the part of the judges, I call upon anyone who has any information on any such allegation, to lodge a report with the authorities so that proper investigations may be carried out,” she said.

“The public may also write to me, the president of the Court of Appeal or to the Chief Judges of the two respective High Courts, for us to do the needful.”

Tengku Maimun said that the public should not resort to social media to make “wild allegations” and should instead take their grievances through the proper channels.

“It is a disservice to the judiciary and the country as a whole, if a person were to continue making wild allegations, especially on social media, without resorting to the proper channels for the allegations to be effectively addressed.

“This is important because by tradition, judges do not respond to criticisms and allegations; judges speak through their judgments.”

She said judges were to conduct themselves in this manner to preserve the impartiality of the court. It also prevents judges from getting into debates with “unhappy litigants and dissatisfied critics”.

Tengku Maimun said that unfounded baseless accusations against the judiciary would also weaken the administration of justice and erode the public’s confidence in the body.

She warned that appropriate action would be taken will be taken against anyone tarnishing the image and dignity of the judiciary in protecting its integrity.

However, she said the courts were not immune to public criticism, as long as those criticisms were based on facts and were conveyed responsibly.

“It is important for the public to discuss how the courts perform their roles and criticise if they wish… Indeed the independence of the judiciary does not mean it is immune from criticism or accountability to the public in which it serves.”

She also said the impetus was on the Malaysian Bar to defend the judiciary, to correct blatant misinformation, and to remind the public and the media of judicial neutrality and independence.

Tengku Maimun was appointed the chief justice on May 2, replacing Richard Malanjum who retired in April this year. – May 17, 2019.