Stop all attacks on judiciary, says Ahmad Faizal

PETALING JAYA: Attacks against the Federal Court bench that is hearing former premier Najib Razak’s final SRC International appeal must be stopped immediately, says Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

In a statement on Saturday (Aug 20), he said the attacks were deliberately designed to interfere with the independence of the judiciary and the proper administration of justice.

"Personal attacks against judges and their family members create an intimidating state of affairs which threatens the law.

"The judiciary serves as the last bastion of justice in any democratic system, and we all have a responsibility to protect the dignity of this institution," Faizal added.

The Tambun MP acknowledged that while democracy does not prevent the public’s right to speak up and criticise, it did not allow for personal and malicious attacks to be carried out.

"The judiciary must be given the time and space to discharge its duties, and every citizen has the duty to ensure the integrity of this institution is upheld at all times," he said.

The police are investigating threats made against Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.

According to Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, the Federal Criminal Investigations Department would trace those behind these threats on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

Tengku Maimun is heading a five-member Federal Court bench hearing Najib’s appeal.

This is Najib’s final bid to avoid landing in prison following his conviction of one count of abuse of power, three counts of criminal breach of trust and three money laundering charges involving RM42mil of funds from SRC.

The apex court’s decision to dismiss the defence’s applications to adduce new evidence and for the hearing to be postponed had courted criticism from Najib’s supporters and certain Umno leaders.

Malaysiakini also reported that the chief justice’s husband Zamani Ibrahim had also come under attack on social media.

One social media post warned of "bloodshed" and urged Maimun to recuse herself from hearing the appeal.