Judges hold special meet amid uncertainty over CJ's tenure extension
Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat reaches the mandatory retirement age of 66 on Wednesday, July 2, and will serve her last day in office on July 1.
SEPANG : With just over a day to go before the tenure of the nation's two top judges comes to an end, there seems to be no likelihood of an extension.
With that in mind, an event is being held by some members of the judiciary to bid them farewell.
Dubbed the Judges' Special Conference, the two-day event involves some 150 judges from all over the country, who have gathered at a hotel near KLIA.
Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat reaches the mandatory retirement age of 66 on Wednesday, July 2, hence her last day in office is July 1.
Similarly, Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim officially retires on July 2, as he turns 66 on July 3.
The first woman to helm the judiciary when she was appointed chief justice in 2019, Tengku Maimun is said to have addressed the judges on the importance of judicial integrity and independence at a closed-door event this evening.
Tengku Maimun declined to comment when approached by FMT.
There will be a farewell dinner this evening and a talk by a publisher of law reports tomorrow.
A Court of Appeal judge said the judiciary will miss a woman of substance and a person of extraordinary leadership.
'She steered the judiciary with unwavering courage, in adherence to the Federal Constitution and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law.
'She was never bothered about the consequences of her decisions,' said the judge who spoke to FMT on condition of anonymity.
(From left) Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and judges Supang Lian, Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera and P Ravinthran.
He said alongside Tengku Maimun, Abang Iskandar and soon-to-retire Federal Court judge Nallini Pathmanathan have all upheld the highest ideals of the bench. Nallini's last day in office is Aug 22.
'These three iconic jurists have propelled Malaysia's judiciary to international repute. The trio helped restore public trust and positioned our courts as among the most respected globally,' he said.
The judge said the nation and the legal profession owe their service a profound debt of gratitude.
Article 125 of the Federal Constitution states that superior court judges shall hold office until the age of 66, but their tenure can be extended for up to six months by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Umno General Assembly postponed to November due to Sabah polls
KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — The 2025 Umno General Assembly, originally scheduled for August, has been postponed to November 26-29 in view of preparations for the upcoming Sabah State Election. Umno Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, in a statement, said the decision was made during the Umno Supreme Council (MT) meeting held tonight at Menara Dato' Onn, World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur. The meeting chaired by Umno President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and was also attended by Vice Presidents Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, along with other Supreme Council members. In March, the Umno Supreme Council had initially set this year's General Assembly for Aug 20 to 23. The five-year term of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly is scheduled to expire automatically on Nov 11 this year, paving the way for the 17th Sabah State Election. Additionally, Asyraf Wajdi said Umno will conduct a mid-term review of the effectiveness and performance of the Malaysian Unity Government, including the achievements of the Umno leadership within the administration, and in government-linked and affiliated agencies. Meanwhile, he said Umno sees no justification for parties in the Unity Government to absorb members from other component parties, in order to prevent misunderstandings and disharmony within the government. He added that the meeting also decided that the Supreme Council may consider any appeal submitted by members subjected to disciplinary action, in line with Clause 20.12 of the Umno Constitution. Asyraf Wajdi also expressed Umno's appreciation to the Umno Liaison Bodies of Terengganu and Perak for assisting in the management and delivery of aid to the victims of the tragic bus accident in Gerik on June 10, which claimed the lives of 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. — Bernama
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Sarawak rights activist urges Nurul Izzah to back NCR land remarks with action
KUCHING, July 1 — Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar should follow up on her comments on Sarawak's Native Customary Rights (NRC) lands by engaging with affected communities and other stakeholders, said Peter John Jaban. While thanking Nurul Izzah for her concern, the rights activist however said such issues have existed for decades, yet has drawn little attention from the federal government. 'If these are the same concerns Nurul Izzah is raising in 2025, the question that must be asked is, why only now? 'For years, NCR landowners have fought alone in the courts, on logging roads, in far-flung longhouses, without legal access or media coverage. Where was the federal attention then?' he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday. He was asked to comment on Nurul Izzah's recent statement calling for faster action on surveys and ownership approvals of NCR land in the state, and for a halt to the issuance of new licences on disputed land. Peter said despite Nurul Izzah having held public office and speaking out on various national issues, her engagement on indigenous land issues, particularly in Sarawak, has been minimal. 'Still, her concern is valid to NCR landowners, but concern without clarity is not good enough.' He said without meaningful engagement with Dayak-based organisations or other land rights defenders, her words risk appearing 'superficial, a headline rather than a helping hand'. Nurul Izzah, stressed Peter, ought to meet with NCR landowners and civil society organisations, while also pushing for the reform of state-federal frameworks to ensure that native land rights are respected and 'not just surveyed for administrative convenience'. 'For her advocacy to matter, it must now be backed by real engagement,' he said, adding that Nurul Izzah's influence at the federal level could amplify the realities that local communities have long been trying to highlight. He went on to say that since the perimeter survey programme under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code began in 2010, civil society groups, lawyers, and native leaders have raised serious questions about its transparency, implementation, and implications. This has included concerns over the eventual conversion of NCR land into leasehold titles — a process Peter claimed that, in many cases, strips the land of its customary protections. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
PM Anwar: Global solidarity, moral courage crucial for Gaza crisis
KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed that global solidarity and moral courage were more essential than ever during the deep humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In his Facebook update, Anwar said he had discussed the matter virtually with British Member of Parliament and prominent political figure Jeremy Corbyn yesterday. 'I had a productive video call with British political figure and Member of Parliament, Jeremy Corbyn, to discuss collaborative measures among like-minded those within the Hague Group, to amplify international pressure on Israel to halt the ongoing genocide in Gaza immediately,' he said. He added that both of them reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding international law, defending human rights, and advocating for a just and lasting peace. The ongoing genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, now entering its 21st month, has left nearly 189,000 Palestinians martyred or wounded, the majority of them children and women, with over 11,000 missing. — Bernama
