Judge Nazlan lodges police report over allegation of RM1mil in bank

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Justice for judges, too

From Hafiz Hassan

As a society, we have every right to demand for honesty in a judge. It is exacting and absolute.

The standards of judicial behaviour, both on and off the Bench, are extremely high. For a judge to deviate from such standards of honesty – and impartiality – is to betray the trust reposed on him.

No excuse can condone such betrayal. A dishonest judge not only dishonours himself and disgraces his office, but jeopardises the integrity of the entire judicial system.

No one is above the law – judges included. It cannot be said that a judge will escape criminal liability because of his high office. In a civilised society, the law cannot be assumed to be leading to such disturbing results.

A judge of a superior court will not be immune from prosecution for criminal offences committed during the tenure of his office.

We can, therefore, agree with Zaid Ibrahim that judges are not immune from criminal prosecutions. The principle of “separation of powers” does not forbid the authorities from launching a probe against sitting judges.

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