Attacks on the judiciary must be condemned by all

AS the courts proceed with the appeal by Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak on his last lap in the financial misconduct case against him, all Malaysians have a duty to uphold the justice system under the stewardship of Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.

The five-member bench Federal Court led by Tengku Maimun – the country’s first female Chief Justice – deserves all law-abiding citizens’ trust and solidarity.

It is most despicable when the defendant and his legal entourage, together with certain pockets of Malaysian society, have no shame or fear in deriding the judges. Some have even resorted to social media to issue threats against the life of the Chief Justice.

Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan Malaysia (Patriot) stands by the courts, and we demand and reiterate that the rule of law must be given utmost respect.

We therefore call on the police to investigate with speed and bring to book all those guilty of attacking the honour of our courts, irrespective who they are or what their station in life is.

We demand that the safety and good name of the nation’s first woman Chief Judge is not exposed to malicious plots and that she is protected at all times.

We also call on the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to take all stringent and necessary measures to haul up all those who are using social media platforms to advance their diabolical agendas that are destroying the good name of our nation. No matter who it is, action must be taken without fear or compromise.

The vast majority of sensible, honourable and respectful citizens are getting tired of the drama all these years as the 1MDB and SRC financial scandal cases move through the courts.

Hence, Patriot calls upon all lawmakers, civil servants and their heads, and religious leaders, including our Rulers, to join the chorus of lawful citizens and patriotic Malaysians calling for the protection of the good name of the judiciary.

In the face of attempts to insult, smear and even threaten our judges, including the Chief Justice, all Malaysian leaders in society – politicians, religious and congregational heads, NGOs, activists, professional bodies, etc – must lend their voices to stand by our judiciary.

We must together go after all those who attempt to live by thuggery, threatening the members of our courts, which has the potential to ultimately sink our nation into a failed status.

Patriotism is dead if we remain as wayside observers.

BRIGADIER GENERAL (RTD) DATUK MOHD ARSHAD RAJI

President,

Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan Malaysia (Patriot)