This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on October 16, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is looking into at least 20 complaints of bribery involving Sessions Court judges and lower court officers, its chief commissioner Latheefa Koya said yesterday.

Noting the allegations are a serious matter, Latheefa said the complaints will be formalised after they are scrutinised.  

"We have received complaints of the incidents; not everything [have led to] investigation papers being produced," she told reporters after an Integrity Day event here on Monday.

However, the cases must be properly scrutinised to determine their authenticity. "We may have received complaints from those who have lost their cases," she said, adding that there are also judges facing multiple complaints.

So far, the complaints received involve those with ranking - Session Court judges and below. Latheefa did not say whether those ranked as High Court judges and above have been subject to similar complaints.

During her speech at the event, Chief Justice of Malaysia Tan Sri Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat reminded her audience that judges in Malaysia are required to declare their assets in writing to the chief justice when being appointed under the Judges' Code of Ethics 2009. This requirement is emphasised through the chief justice's circulars in 2012 as well.

"A judge failing to commit to the declaration of assets may be subjected to action as provided for under the Judges' Code of Ethics 2009," she said in her speech.

However, Tengku Maimun said judicial officers are required to declare their assets at least once in every five years.

According to Tengku Maimun, the declaration of assets is implemented to enhance the Malaysian judiciary's transparency and build public confidence in the system.

It will also prevent judges and judicial officers from engaging in any conflicts of interest affecting the course of their case or proceedings before them, she said.

"This is also to create awareness among judges and judicial officers that the sources and flows of ownership and disposal of their assets are closely monitored."