On retirement eve, CJ lauded by Malaysian Bar, lawyers in appreciation speeches
Four lawyers took turns over about 19 minutes standing up at the end of a court case at the Federal Court here, to express gratitude to both Tengku Maimun and Abang Iskandar in an impromptu send-off.
Malaysian Bar vice-president Anand Raj, who was present for a court case here, spoke on behalf of the Malaysian Bar in both marking the end of the tenure of the two top judges and also celebrating their legacy.
Anand said the Malaysian Bar wished to express its profound gratitude for Tengku Maimun's visionary leadership and her exceptional service, noting that she was the first woman to be Malaysia's chief justice and also noting her multiple contributions to the judiciary.
'As Yang Amat Arif steps down, you will leave behind a judiciary that is more accessible, efficient and technologically advanced than before, and more importantly you leave behind a principled leadership that has enhanced confidence in our judicial system,' he said when addressing a five-judge Federal Court panel that was chaired by Tengku Maimun and also included Abang Iskandar.
Anand said the Malaysian Bar was thanking both the CJ and the PCA because of the integrity in which court proceedings were carried out, and not because of the outcome of cases.
Anand noted that Abang Iskandar was the first judge from Sabah and Sarawak to ever hold the PCA post, which is the second highest position in the judiciary.
'The Malaysian Bar wishes to record its gratitude towards Yang Amat Arif and on behalf of the Bar and the entire legal community, we thank you for your 42 years of your exemplary leadership. You have served with honour, led with wisdom, and have inspired with your integrity.,' he said.
'To both CJ and PCA, we wish you all the best and happy birthday,' he concluded in his eight-minute speech.
Earlier, lawyer Datuk Gurdial Singh Nijar, expressed appreciation towards the two top judges.
Gurdial said that under Tengku Maimun's leadership as CJ, the judiciary's credibility has been restored and reached a level on par with the best judiciary in the Commonwealth and has wiped away the lowest point marked by the 1988 judicial crisis.
Gurdial alluded to recent calls for extensions of the CJ's tenure, and said such calls are not an attempt to 'politicise' the issue but was due to reasons such as her judgments which he described as on par with the best in the Commonwealth.
'In particular also I think your vigorous defence of the independence of the judiciary which has been profiled most significantly in the last few months, I think must be accorded a place of great appreciation by members of the Bar,' he said.
Lawyer Lim Wei Jiet said he believed young lawyers, law students and civil society members are 'deeply inspired' by both Tengku Maimun and Abang Iskandar.
'Your fidelity to the Federal Constitution, rule of law, judicial independence and separation of powers have certainly created a renaissance of sorts for the state of law in Malaysia,' he said, adding that he wishes both of them a fulfilling and happy retirement. This was greeted with some claps from the public gallery.
Lawyer Raja Eileen Soraya Raja Aman, who was present in court for other cases, stood up to say: 'Please leave your offices with your heads held high because you have certainly allowed us to hold our heads high.'
Following the speeches, Tengku Maimun then spoke on behalf of herself and Abang Iskandar: 'I wish to thank each and every one of you who have expressed your kind words, the Bar Council who has always stood behind us, we appreciate your support.
'All the support given by everyone of you in the times of challenges we face, when the judiciary is under attack. We can say we have been defended by the Bar and several other bodies and individuals. For that, I'm grateful. Thank you for all the kind wishes. We wish all members of the Bar all the best, may you succeed in all your endeavours. Thank you, court is adjourned.'
Today is the last day of work for Tengku Maimun, while Abang Iskandar's last day at work is tomorrow.
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
Segambut MP urges DBKL to clarify EV charger placement guidelines after TTDI residents raise concern over parking loss
KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — Hannah Yeoh has called on Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to clarify its guidelines on the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers following complaints by Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) residents that the new units have reduced public parking spaces in the neighbourhood. In a media statement today, the Segambut MP said while she supported efforts to promote greener transport, she was concerned about whether the chargers — including those in areas like TTDI and Desa Sri Hartamas which fall under her constituency — complied with existing regulations related to public safety, urban planning and pedestrian access. 'From public observation, the installations appear to encroach upon pedestrian walkways and take up valuable space in areas that are already facing congestion and limited parking,' she said. Yeoh was responding to a Malay Mail report yesterday, in which the TTDI Residents Association raised objections to the new chargers placed along Lorong Rahim Kajai 13 and Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad. The group argued that the neighbourhood already suffers from parking shortages and questioned why DBKL had allowed the installations at the expense of public parking bays. Association spokesman Khairudin Rahim told Malay Mail that while residents welcomed EV infrastructure, the decision to use existing parking bays was 'not practical' and failed to consider that many EV owners in the area already have private home chargers. In response, Yeoh urged DBKL to disclose the guidelines governing EV charger placement and to confirm whether all relevant standards were being followed. 'As we move towards cleaner and greener transport, it is essential that infrastructure development is thoughtfully implemented. The rights, safety and daily needs of residents should not be compromised,' she said in her statement. Yeoh also reminded DBKL to consult the community through the Majlis Perwakilan Penduduk (MPP), which she said serves as a vital bridge between residents and city authorities. She called on DBKL to fully utilise the platform for dialogue and engagement on such matters.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt seeks to secure Pulau Ligitan with RM300mil security outpost
Federal and state officials say they want security at Pulau Ligitan fortified in view of the looming external cross-border criminal threats, including terrorism. (X pic) KOTA KINABALU : Malaysia is looking to secure the sovereignty of Pulau Ligitan, a small island and popular diving haven off the Tawau coast, according to top federal and state government officials. Sources from the home and defence ministries, along with the maritime industry, revealed that a two-year study had recommended the establishment of a permanent security control outpost within 1km of Pulau Ligitan, located some 50km away from Tawau. The officials said that the plan was to fortify security at Pulau Ligitan in view of the looming external cross-border criminal threats, including terrorism, given its close proximity to both the Philippines and Indonesia. The state and federal governments are believed to be considering a budget of up to RM300 million to develop a comprehensive outpost, including living quarters for up to 60 personnel on a 24-hour rotation. The project, slated to be carried out by a private contractor, is understood to be awaiting government approval and budgetary allocation. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the environment department is presently conducting an environmental impact assessment, while the Royal Malaysian Navy has been tasked with hydrographic mapping around Pulau Ligitan, where currently only a lighthouse stands. 'We see this as an effort to firmly secure our maritime sovereign assets in view of the growing maritime territorial disputes in the Celebes and Sulu Seas, involving Indonesia and the Philippines. 'Without effectively securing Ligitan, we cannot open the island, smaller than a football field at low-tide, for tourists and develop resorts around it, similar to what has been done at Sipadan about 28km away from it,' the source told FMT. The government, the source added, had 'learnt its lessons' from territorial disputes involving Pulau Batu Puteh with Singapore, Limbang with Brunei and the Ambalat oil and gas sea-block in the Celebes Sea with Indonesia. Following the Abu Sayyaf group's abduction of 21 tourists in Sipadan on April 23, 2000, and the Lahad Datu intrusion by 235 Sulu militants on February 11, 2013, the National Security Council assumed control of Sipadan and Ligitan. The islands were later handed over to Sabah's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment on July 6, 2019. The officials said the proposed outpost on Pulau Ligitan would be modelled after Station Lima, the forward operating facility established in 1983 on Pulau Layang-Layang (Swallow Reef) in the South China Sea. 'Ligitan's outpost is expected to include a power-generator set, reverse-osmosis system to convert salty sea-water into drinking-water, a watch-tower, firearms armoury, kitchen, dining hall, meeting room, launderette, sewage management system, fuel storage and machinery control room, jetty, wave-breaker barrier, helicopter pad and fast-interceptor and marine-park boats,' the source said.
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Consul General calls on Liew
Consul General calls on Liew Kota Kinabalu: Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Zhu Xinglong paid a courtesy call on Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Christina Liew on Monday. Consul General Zhu said under the strategic guidance of the leaders of China and Malaysia, bilateral relations have reached a historic high, and the prospects for cooperation between the two countries are broad. Advertisement 'China is Sabah's largest source of international tourists,' he said. The Consul General expressed willingness to work closely with the Minister to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, and to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between China and Sabah in areas such as governance, civilisational dialogue, cultural industries, tourism, and poverty alleviation, in a joint effort to build a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future. SPONSORED CONTENT Minister Liew warmly welcomed Consul General Zhu's assumption of office in Sabah and noted that China's rapid development in recent years is remarkable. Advertisement She expressed her readiness to maintain close communication and coordination with the Consul General, learn from China's governance experience, and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges between Sabah and China. 'Let us work together to usher in the next 'Golden 50 Years' of China-Malaysia relations,' Liew added. Advertisement Also present were Deputy Consul General Xue Xiaoning and other officials, and Sabah Tourism Board Deputy Chief Executive Officer Tay Shu Lan.
