Judges must seek to be right, not popular, says Chief Justice

Malaysia's Chief Justice, Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, has cautioned against allowing social media outrage and public opinion to undermine judicial independence. Speaking at a lecture for law students, he emphasized that judges must prioritize delivering justice over seeking public approval. Wan Ahmad Farid stressed that courts must distinguish between public confidence, which can be earned, and public approval, which should never be pursued.

He warned that lengthy judgments are often misunderstood when reduced to short excerpts shared online, leading to uninformed opinions. The Chief Justice urged the public to read the full judgment, including any dissenting opinions, before forming an opinion. He highlighted the judiciary's mixed reputation, praising it for independence when decisions align with popular sentiment, but accusing it of being compromised when rulings differ.

Wan Ahmad Farid cited past judicial crises, such as the 1988 crisis and the 2007 video controversy, as examples of when public suspicion could be warranted. To rebuild trust, the judicial institution must openly acknowledge its shortcomings and correct itself. The Chief Justice emphasized that an institution unwilling to be honest about its history cannot expect to be trusted.

He cautioned that online backlash could sway judicial decisions, even without direct interference, and called for plain-language summaries of judgments, prompt publication, transparent complaints procedures, and a credible code of ethics. Wan Ahmad Farid stressed that constructive criticism is valuable, but personal attacks and attempts to portray judges as enemies can erode respect for the institution. He affirmed that the judiciary can survive public scrutiny.