Maintaining public confidence and trust in the judiciary should be the main agenda of the institution, Chief Justice Zaki Azmi told judges today.

He said the public must see the judiciary as an institution that was unbiased and free from dishonesty.

Public confidence could be achieved through an independent and impartial judiciary, which was critical to any democratic society, he added.

"If the actual independence and impartiality of the judiciary are essential to a successful democracy, so is the public perception that courts must be independent and impartial in resolving disputes and providing basic protection to individuals," Zaki said in his speech at the swearing-in of judges at the Palace of Justice today.

At the event, two Federal Court judges, two Court of Appeal judges and nine High Court judges took their oaths of office. Their appointments took effect today.

Zaki pointed out that without public confidence in the judiciary, its ability to do justice would be compromised, and the people might resort to other means to resolve matters.

He stressed that judges should decide matters before them impartially, based on facts and in accordance with the law.

They should do so without any restriction, influence, inducement, pressure, threat or interference, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reason.

Promotion based on merit

Zaki said judges should continue improving and not be satisfied with what they had achieved so far.

The chief justice observed that the promotion of judges was based on merit rather than seniority alone.

In congratulating the judges who were appointed today, Zaki noted that this might be his last speech as the country's top judicial official as he retired next month.

Court of Appeal judges Ahmad Maarop, 58, and Hasan Lah, 59, took their oaths as Federal Court judges.

Malacca-born Ahmad was made a Court of Appeal judge in 2007, while Hasan, from Perlis, was appointed to the post in 2006.

High Court judges Mohtarudin Baki, 58, and Anantham Kasinather, 63, were sworn in as Court of Appeal judges, while nine judicial commissioners were elevated to High Court judges.

They are Noraini Abdul Rahman, Nor Bee Ariffin, Yeoh Wee Siam, Rhodzariah Bujang, Amelia Tee Hong Geok Abdullah, Has Zanah Mehat, Prasad Sandosham Abraham, Varghese George Varughese and Mah Weng Kwai.

- Bernama