A compliant judiciary that does not uphold the precepts of the federal constitution cannot stand as a bulwark of liberty. This is the message given to judges in the superior courts of the country by a Court of Appeal judge.

Advocating judicial activism in matters pertaining rights and violations, Justice Hamid Sultan Abu Backer said failure to uphold the constitution would result in the judiciary being seen as shying away from its sacrosanct oath and duty to protecting the constitution and the Rukun Negara.

It would be seen as the judiciary abrogating its role, Justice Hamid Sultan said, and he went on to warn that this would pave the way for rule by law and not rule of law...