Not wrong to investigate judges, but don’t publicise probe, says PM

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday said there was nothing wrong with judges being investigated over allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing, but that the matter should not be publicised.

Ismail said no one was above the law and that enforcement agencies like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the police were free to investigate if they suspected that a criminal offence had been committed.

However, to preserve respect for the judicial institution, investigations against judges should not be publicised, he said.

“There is no need for them (enforcement agencies) to announce who is involved… telling the media about the investigation.

“I do not see anything wrong with investigating judges implicated in criminal wrongdoings. We are not saying a crime has been committed, as it is only at the investigation stage.

“But there is no need to publicise it and reveal to the media the names of those under probe. Maybe that is what is being questioned,” he said, without naming the individuals or agencies involved.

He said this when asked about the Malaysian Bar’s “Walk for Judicial Independence” assembly at Padang Merbok in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

Ismail said the Malaysian Bar might have been responding to the way the agency concerned was conducting its investigation.

Ismail, the Bera MP, was speaking at a media conference at Kompleks Rakan Muda Bera in Bera.

He reiterated that the government subscribes to the principle of the separation of powers, with the judiciary given the freedom to conduct trials and make rulings without interference from any parties.