OUTGOING Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat advised judges to decide fairly and objectively.
She said she has faced trials and public criticism during her tenure as Chief Justice for almost six years, but remained determined to perform her duties without losing sleep over it.
During her final speech as the outgoing Chief Justice at the Opening of the Legal Year 2025, Tengku Maimun said she has been criticised, vilified and labelled un-Islamic or an enemy of Islam, including having her spouse unfairly used against her in attempts to force her recusal.
“When I was appointed the first female chief justice of Malaysia, someone asked me: what would you do, if the executive or any other influential party demanded that you decide a case in a certain way?
“Before I answer the question, let me stress that a judge must always decide justly, fairly, and objectively,” she said.
She said she stood firmly by what she did as a judge and Chief Justice and will continue to believe in what is right.
“The spin doctors, naysayers and critics can say what they will and turn something noble into a purported vilification of Islam,” she said.
She said she served as Chief Justice under four prime ministers from different political affiliations; Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and presently, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"During this time, judicial panels led by me have made what we firmly believed to be correct decisions on the law and facts, regardless of the heated political overtones and undertones that clothed some of these cases.
“This alone should dispel any baseless notion that I have ever been partial to any particular prime minister or any political party.
“As I leave, I hope that the appointment of the next chief justice is fully compliant with all aspects of the law, bearing in mind the need to keep the judiciary independent given the unfortunate and blemishing events of history,” she added.
Tengku Maimun is scheduled to retire in July upon reaching the age of 66 but could remain in office for an additional six months if the king chooses to invoke his constitutional power to extend her tenure. - January 8, 2025
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