She said the public basically knew that judges made decisions based on evidence, which was a basic principle in law.
“No one has approached me personally. I don’t know about the rest (other judges) but I suspect no one asked for their help, too,” she told reporters after officiating the legal year today.
Tengku Maimun said even if there was any contact, her answer would be: “There is nothing we can do. The matter is in court and the judges will decide according to evidence and the law.”
The top judge was asked to respond to a portion of a speech made by Malaysian Bar president AG Kalidas at the same event on remarks made by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
In a televised address on Aug 4 last year, Muhyiddin revealed he received appeals from individuals to interfere in court matters.
Kalidas, in his address today, said the Bar had always defended the principle of judicial independence and integrity.
“Judicial independence is sacrosanct. It forms the cornerstone of a fair and impartial judiciary which is necessary for upholding the rule of law and instilling public confidence,” he said.
Kalidas said it must not be allowed to be tarnished, and the importance of a judiciary that was insulated from interference in a democracy, cannot be overstated.
Muhyiddin had alleged he was under pressure from “certain parties” to intervene in the matters of the court in order to set several individuals free from criminal charges.
In the televised speech just days before he resigned, he said these individuals were uneasy over his strict stand in refusing to entertain their demands.
“This included pressure for me to intervene in matters of the court to release several individuals who were charged with criminal offences,” he said.
Umno MPs who are currently facing charges include party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, former president Najib Razak, Sabah deputy chief minister Bung Moktar Radin and Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.
Najib had also been found guilty of corruption in connection with RM42 million belonging to former 1MDB unit SRC International. He still faces charges involving the main 1MDB trial.
Najib threatened to file a defamation suit against Muhyiddin over the claim.
On another matter, Tengku Maimun said lawyers were also subject to contempt proceedings to protect the image of the judiciary but it depends on the statements they uttered.
“But it (a statement) has to be taken sparingly. Lawyers want to tell the whole world their side of the story but we (judges) rule based on law and evidence in court,” she said.
She said lawyers were also subject to their code of ethics under the Legal Profession Act.