IF you haven’t read Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat’s speech at the taking of oath of office and loyalty ceremony of High Court judges on April 27, 2022, here’s what she said:

“Judges are by no means immune to public criticism and accountability to those they serve. We are all subject to scrutiny. That is why we write judgments so that they can be read, analysed, discussed and debated. In fact, the whole system of appeal is based on judges’ awareness of their own fallibility.

“Hence, citizens including politicians are, to a certain extent, free to criticise the Judiciary. However, that does not mean that it is open to citizens including politicians to level unfounded and scurrilous attacks against the Judiciary or a particular judge to further their own ends.”

The chief justice accepts public criticism and scrutiny of the courts. – January 19, 2024.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.