PUTRAJAYA: The judicial institution as well as judges must be free to make their own decisions.
Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said the decision must be made based solely on the facts and the law without any other considerations.
"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 loyalties are apparent in a constitutionally-ordained judicial oath taken to protect, preserve and defend the Federal Constitution," she said.
She said this in her speech at the opening of the legal year today.
Tengku Maimun said a judiciary that enjoys popularity, would naturally command significant public confidence.
"In such a situation, popularity is merely the outcome of strong public confidence.
" In my view, public confidence in the judiciary is the measure and tool by which judges remain transparent and accountable to the public," she added.
