
Concerns rise over retirement of top judges without extensions
We express our deep concern and urge the government to provide a clear and transparent explanation for its decision not to extend the terms of these two top judicial leaders.
Upholding judicial independence, fairness, and institutional credibility must remain a national priority.
Under Article 125(1) of the Federal Constitution, judges who reach the age of 66 may be granted a six-month extension, subject to the approval of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Historically, several Chief Justices — including Tun Richard Malanjum and Tan Sri Arifin Zakaria — were granted such extensions.
However, in this case, while several other senior judges were extended, the two highest judicial office holders were excluded, without public explanation or clarity on evaluation standards — an unusual and troubling development.
Malaysia's judicial system now faces a structural challenge:
- As of July 2025, more than nine judges from the Federal Court and Court of Appeal have retired;
- Over 20 high-ranking judicial positions are currently vacant, including the two top posts, with no official successors announced;
- The average case resolution period now ranges from 12 to 18 months, and prolonged vacancies at the top risk further backlog and delay in the delivery of justice.
The judiciary is not merely a legal institution; it is the benchmark by which citizens assess whether a nation is just, accountable, and governed by the rule of law.
When citizens witness the departure of the country's highest-ranking judges without sufficient explanation, it inevitably leads to questions:
Has political interest overridden institutional processes? Is there an attempt to influence the direction of the judiciary through key appointments?
We must stress:
"Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done."
A lack of clear, objective reasoning behind the government's decision will not only strain the boundary of trust between the executive and judiciary but also undermine public confidence in the legal system, potentially damaging Malaysia's international reputation and investor perception.
Therefore, we call for the following actions:
- The government must immediately disclose the rationale behind the non-renewal of both judicial leaders, including whether an independent evaluation was conducted, whether the Conference of Rulers was consulted, and whether a consistent standard was applied;
- Judicial appointments and extensions must be institutionalised and standardised through a transparent, objective, and independent mechanism, insulated from political influence;
- A bipartisan Parliamentary Special Committee or Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) should be established to investigate any possible political interference in judicial appointments;
- All top judicial vacancies at the Federal Court and Court of Appeal must be filled urgently, to ensure institutional continuity and protect every citizen's right to timely justice.
True national stability is not built on the centralisation of power, but on the credibility of institutions and the realization of justice.
The judiciary is the people's final line of defence. It must never be subjected to political manipulation, nor become a pawn in power struggles.
Malaysia must not regress.
DATUK DR MONNA ONG SIEW SIEW
Chairperson, National Policy and People's Livelihood Research advisory Committee
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
King presents instrument of appointment to new Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, on Monday (July 28) presented the instrument of appointment to new Chief Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, at Istana Negara here. Wan Ahmad Farid, 62, also took the oath of office and loyalty during the ceremony, which was held at the Small Throne Room of the Palace. Wan Ahmad Farid, hitherto a Court of Appeal judge, was also presented with the instrument of appointment as a Federal Court Judge. The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. His Majesty also presented instruments of appointment to Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as the President of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, followed by the appointment of eight Court of Appeal Judges and 14 High Court Judges. Wan Ahmad Farid has been appointed as the 17th Chief Justice of Malaysia, succeeding Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2. The appointment was made in line with Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, with His Majesty's consent on the advice of the Prime Minister and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. Abu Bakar, 63, meanwhile, is filling the vacancy of President of the Court of Appeal following the retirement of Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim on July 3, while Azizah, 63, replaces Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, who retired on July 24. Wan Ahmad Farid, who holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) from the University of West London and obtained a Certificate in Legal Practice (Hons) from Universiti Malaya in 1986, began his legal career as an advocate and solicitor with Messrs Adnan & Wee in Kuala Terengganu, serving from 1987 to 2003. Beyond his legal career, Wan Ahmad Farid has been active in public administration and politics, having served as political secretary to former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from 2003 to 2008, before being appointed Deputy Home Minister from 2008 to 2009. He returned to legal practice between 2011 and 2015 as a partner at Messrs Wan Farid & Surin in Kuala Lumpur before being appointed as a Judicial Commissioner, serving in the High Courts of Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu from 2015 to 2019. He was then elevated to High Court Judge from 2019 to 2024, with postings in Kota Bharu, Shah Alam (Special Powers Division) and Kuala Lumpur (Special Powers Division 3).- Bernama


New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
King appoints new Chief Justice, judges at Istana Negara
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today presented the instrument of appointment to the new Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal, Court of Appeal Judges, and High Court Judges at Istana Negara. The ceremony, held at the Singgahsana Kecil (Minor Throne Room), was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. According to a Facebook post, during the ceremony, Sultan Ibrahim presented the instrument of appointment for the position of Chief Justice to Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, who then took his oath of office and loyalty before the King. His Majesty also presented the instruments of appointment for the President of the Court of Appeal to Datuk Abu Bakar Jais, followed by the appointment of Datuk Azizah Nawawi as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. In addition, instruments of appointment as Court of Appeal Judges were awarded to Dr Shahnaz Sulaiman; Datin Paduka Evrol Mariette Felix Michael Peters; Ong Chee Kwan; Datuk Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid; Leonard David Shim; Nadzarin Wok Nordin; Datuk Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid and Muniandy Kannyappan. Meanwhile, instruments of appointment as High Court Judges were awarded to Maslinda @ Linda Mohd Ainal; Datuk Faridz Gohim Abdullah; Dr Choong Yeow Choy; Saiful Azian Mokhtar; Evawani Farisyta Mohamad; Indra Nehru Savandiah; Sumathi Murugiah; Moses Susayan; Kan Weng Hin; Dr Wendy Ooi Su Ghee; Mohd Rosli Yusoff; Dr Hazlina Hussain; Roszianayati Ahmad and Mohamad Haldar Abdul Aziz.


The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
King appoints Wan Ahmad Farid as new Chief Justice of Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, officially appointed Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the new Chief Justice in a ceremony held at Istana Negara. The 62-year-old took his oath of office and loyalty at the Small Throne Room, marking the beginning of his tenure as the nation's top judicial officer. Wan Ahmad Farid, previously a Court of Appeal judge, also received his instrument of appointment as a Federal Court Judge. The event was attended by key government figures, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, as well as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. The ceremony also saw the appointment of Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as President of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. Additionally, eight Court of Appeal Judges and 14 High Court Judges were sworn in. Wan Ahmad Farid succeeds Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2. His appointment follows Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, with the King's consent based on the Prime Minister's advice and consultation with the Conference of Rulers. With a distinguished legal career spanning decades, Wan Ahmad Farid holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of West London and a Certificate in Legal Practice from Universiti Malaya. He began his career as an advocate and solicitor in Kuala Terengganu before transitioning into public service, including roles as political secretary to former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Home Minister. - Bernama