Former Prosecutor General and Presidential Legal Advisor on Criminal Justice, Uz Muhthaz Muhsin, has stated that judges who issue public statements in response to political figures, rather than following legal procedures for addressing allegations, are undermining public trust in the judiciary.

Muhthaz made these comments in a Facebook post following a press release issued today by the legal counsel of one of three Supreme Court judges suspended over corruption allegations being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

The ACC informed the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) about the investigation, which led to the suspension of Judges Husnu Al Suood, Azmiraida Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir. Judge Husnu Al Suood has since resigned from his position when the investigation commenced.

Muhthaz explained that according to law, honourable judges must be accountable to the JSC The legal framework establishes a dignified process for judges to respond to allegations.

He emphasised that when judges bypass these procedures whilst still in office and instead respond publicly to political entities by issuing statements, it diminishes the respect and dignity of the judiciary in the hearts of the people, erodes trust and creates unease.

Several people have expressed concern that some Supreme Court judges have entered the political sphere, making inappropriate public statements that damage trust in the judicial system, creating a perception that the judiciary has become politicised and raising doubts about its integrity.