Chief justice reveals death threats over high-profile cases

Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat today said that she had received death threats when presiding over cases involving certain personalities.

She said it was normal for every court judgment to be greeted with satisfaction and dissatisfaction by various quarters.

“That is normal… what is unusual is that in cases involving certain personalities, the support or criticism is extreme, as people generally know that I myself have received death threats before.

“Whether serious or not is another question, but it has reached that level,” she told a press conference at the opening of the Legal Year 2023 in Putrajaya.

Tengku Maimun said her observation was that when it came to cases involving certain high-profile individuals, the comments directed at the judiciary were not constructive but excessive, one-sided and politically motivated.

Tengku Maimun added that the courts had no agendas and that their decisions were strictly based on the law and existing provisions.

“I hope the society out there understands the structure of the country’s legal process before issuing any statements which show their lack of understanding.

“(Try to) understand first, and if you still don’t understand, ask people who know and don’t make unreasonable statements,” she added.

In August last year, the police were quoted as saying they had received reports of threats against Tengku Maimun on social media. They said action would be taken against anyone found abusing such platforms to undermine security.