Malaysians puzzled as to why Azam Baki's job extension benchmark does not apply to Tengku Maimun
SO Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat whom Malaysians remember as having fiercely upheld the conviction of kleptocrat Datuk Seri Najib Razak's maiden 1MDB case at the apex Federal Court should effectively calling it a day tomorrow (July 1) unless an 11th hour judiciary miracle happens.
Her staunch apolitical stance as reflected by her farewell speech in January in which she passionately defended judicial independence and integrity in Malaysia's legal system has certainly cast immense discomfort on the power that be on Malaysia's 10th Chief Justice and the first woman to hold the post.
Judiciary conscious Malaysians seem not to be buying the argument – or excuse – that Tengku Maimun who still has tonnes of judiciary zeal and wisdom left in her should be let off just because she reaches 66 – the mandatory age of retirement for judges.
Appointed on May 2, 2019 during the short-lived Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration, Tengku Maimun has been acknowledged by the Malaysian Bar as 'a person known for her sound decisions, impeccable judicial temperament and, most of all, her independence'.
On June 23, Tengku Maimun said there has been no update regarding the possible extension of her tenure as well as that of two other judges.
In a brief response to the media on the same day, Prime Miniter Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did say that the government would consider extending Tengku Maimun's term of service but there has been no farther update ever since.
Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim will turn 66 on Wednesday (July 2) while Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan's 66th birthday will be on Aug 22.
What makes Azam Baki so special?
As former deputy law minister Ramkarpal Singh backed Tengku Maimun's tenure to be extended on grounds that the Madani government has claimed that institutional reform remains one of its top priorities, PAS information chief Fadhli Shari drew comparison with graft buster head honcho Tan Sri Azam Baki.
Without wanting to question the Prime Minister's prerogative to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on appointment matters as provided for by the Federal Constitution, the Pasir Mas MP nevertheless expressed concern that 'double standards in key position appointments are becoming increasingly obvious'.
Fadhli contended that despite shrouded in controversies, Azam who is the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner has his service tenure extended thrice amid objections from MPs, legal figures and anti-corruption activists.
'I wonder what are the standards used in making the judgment? Are merit and integrity still the basis or have political considerations overcome everything?' he penned in a Facebook post.
'And one question that the people cannot avoid taking is was the decision not to extend Tengku Maimun's service made because she often issued statements and views that were not in line with the government's wishes?'
Stating that he has no intention to defend every decision made by Tengku Maimun as several of her decisions might not be in line with the aspirations of the PAS' struggle, the PAS lawmaker added:
'The government needs to come forward with transparent explanations to the people. Transparency is no longer an option – it is an urgent need in upholding the rule of law.
'Stop the perception game. Uphold the principle of constitutional supremacy and institutional authority. Or just continue with the current culture because no matter what (you do), you're almost certainly not remain after GE16 (16th General Election).' – June 30, 2025
Main image credit: Media Perpaduan
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