Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria said today public perception of the country’s judicial system remains positive.

Nevertheless, he added, judicial officers need to build on this to improve the public trust in the judiciary at all times.

“... so that the public will have full confidence in the judiciary when they come to court to get justice. They know they will get justice at the end of the day. That is what I am trying to drive at, to instill in these officers the importance of delivering justice.

“... because there is no compromise. Justice is not 50 per cent. There is no such thing as it’s enough we have 70 percent. Justice is not like that... must be 100 percent,” he told a news conference after opening the Judicial Officers Conference 2013 in George Town.

A total of 582 judicial officers, among them judges, magistrates and deputy registrars, from all over the country are attending the four-day conference that began yesterday.  

Arifin also gave the assurance that the country’s judiciary was independent and was not bound by external influence, including from the government or opposition, in arriving at any decision.

“When we talk about interference and influence, we always think of the government. It may not necessarily be so. Other people also try to influence the judges, if they can. Parties try to influence the judges, too,” he said.

He emphasised that all judicial officers must be smart and careful when mixing in public, saying that socialisation must be restricted because it could raise suspicion.   

“I remember, even in Islam, they say judges must be isolated from the masses... (kept) away from the masses. They are not even encouraged to mix around because you cannot be seen to favour any group,” he said.  

Asked to comment on the Prevention of Crime (Amendment and Extension) Bill 2013 that was passed by the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Arifin said: “If I comment on what the legislative is doing, then I am encroaching into their area.

“I only pass judgment when my turn comes in court. If we expect the executive not to interfere in our work, we must not interfere or try to meddle in their work,” he said.  

- Bernama