KUALA LUMPUR: The recent incendiary attacks against members of the five-person Federal Court bench hearing the final appeal of Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case must cease immediately.
Tambun member of parliament Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the attacks were clearly designed to harm the proper administration of justice in this country and interfere with the independence of the judiciary.
"Personal attacks against judges and their family members create an intimidating state of affairs which threatens the rule of law.
"The judiciary serves as the last bastion of justice in any democratic system, and we all have a responsibility to protect the dignity of this institution," he said in a statement today.
The youth and sports minister said while the right to constructive criticism is inherent in any democracy, vile and malicious personal criticism is the very antithesis to democracy.
"Citizens have the freedom to criticise but surely this does not include unfounded and personal attacks on the judiciary, or any particular judge.
"The judiciary must be given the time and space to discharge its duties, and every citizen has the duty to ensure the integrity of this institution is upheld at all times."
Intimidation against Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat had been made since Thursday night, to a point of threatening to kill her if she sentenced "innocent" individuals.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acyrl Sani Abdullah Sani said the threats were serious matters and police had initiated investigations despite not receiving any official report.