The Chief Justice of the Federal Court, Tun Tengku Maimun, emphasized that judges must always carry out their duties with dignity according to the highest standards to maintain and uphold the integrity of judges.
She stated that it is crucial for judges to resolve cases fairly and impartially, as explicitly outlined in the 2009 Code of Judicial Ethics.
"Judicial independence means that judges are accountable only to their conscience and knowledge, making judgments solely based on the evidence presented in court and the provisions of the law."
Tengku Maimun pointed out at the Negeri Sembilan State Bar Conference today that judges can freely make judgments based on the merits of a case without considering the individuals involved or any obstructions.
She said that an independent judge will not succumb to any pressure and will not be influenced by any form of reward or promise.
She reminded that judges should make judgments based on the law and existing facts without considering other irrelevant matters.
Tengku Maimun also said that judges must be skilled and meticulous, while understanding established legal principles as well as existing evidence and procedural rules.
Additionally, she mentioned that the role of lawyers is to accurately guide the court to ensure that justice is upheld, and thus judges and lawyers must cooperate effectively.
"Judges are not all-knowing and cannot be present in all places at once. Judges are human and cannot know everything or handle all situations simultaneously. If lawyers do not provide adequate guidance, judges may also make mistakes, as judges have their limitations."
She noted that there is a trend in the judiciary where some lawyers are applying for leave even if they do not meet the conditions outlined in Section 96 of the 1964 Judicial Act.
She said this has become an unhealthy norm.
"When a lawyer repeatedly submits applications, even without a strong basis or some irrelevant issues, this results in the court's limited valuable time being spent on handling these meaningless applications."
She added that not abusing court procedures is also part of the integrity of lawyers.
She said that an effective and law-abiding judicial system is crucial for the stability of the community and the nation, and this must be achieved through cooperation from the main participants in the cases.