Constitution must be amended to strengthen judiciary: Chief Justice

Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain has said that the Constitution and relevant laws have to be amended, and new laws have to be introduced, in order to strengthen the judiciary.

The chief justice said this in a statement issued today.

“Based on our experience up until now, we know that in order to further strengthen the judiciary, the Constitution needs to be amended, relevant laws need to be amended, and relevant laws required by the judiciary need to be introduced as soon as possible,” reads the statement by the chief justice.

He also called on all groups to refrain from using the judiciary to obtain political advantages, at a time when political rivalry is strong in the country prior to the upcoming presidential election.

He also called on all groups to refrain from talking about the judiciary in a negative or misleading manner.

This statement by Chief Justice Faiz Hussain comes shortly after Vice Presidential Candidate of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, criticised the judiciary at a function held by PPM at Nasandhura Palace Hotel last night.

Dr Jameel said that while judges in the Maldives receive high salaries and allowances, and while their salaries are being upheld by taxes, it is worth asking if the people get their justice.