CJ Tengku Maimun reveals death threats over high-profile cases

PUTRAJAYA: Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said today that she had received death threats before when presiding over cases involving certain personalities.

She said it was normal for every court judgment to be greeted with satisfaction and dissatisfaction by various quarters.

"That is normal ... what is unusual is that in cases involving certain personalities, the support or criticism is extreme, as people generally know that I myself have received death threats before.

"Whether serious or not is another question but it has reached that level," she told a press conference at the opening of the Legal Year 2023 here.

Tengku Maimun said her observation showed that when it came to cases involving certain high-profile individuals, the comments directed at the judiciary were not constructive but excessive, one-sided and politically motivated.

Tengku Maimun stressed that the courts had no agendas and their decisions were strictly based on the law and existing provisions.

"I hope the society out there understands the structure of the country's legal process before issuing any statements which show their lack of understanding.

"(Try to) understand first, and if you still don't understand, ask people who know and don't make unreasonable statements," she added.

In August last year, the media quoted police as saying they had received reports of threats made against Tengku Maimun in the social media and would be taking action against anyone found abusing such platforms to undermine security.

-- BERNAMA