COMMENT | As more and more political and business elites seem to step away from courtrooms, untouched, these are the questions that haunt the mind of every thinking Malaysian.

I. What is judicial independence, and why does it matter?

Judicial independence and the rule of law are foundational principles of a fair and just society.

That is why, under international treaties and human rights law, every country must guarantee fair hearings before truly independent judges: Article 14(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, alongside the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, reinforce that principle.

The words “judicial power” are still there in the Constitution.