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Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘I stick to my speech': Ex-judge Abdul Rahman Sebli stands by bombshell farewell claim of pressure on the bench
PUTRAJAYA, July 28 — Fresh off his retirement as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli today reaffirmed his claim that he was pressured by a senior judge during his time on the Federal Court bench. The allegation, first made during his farewell speech in Kuching, Sarawak on July 23, came just two days before his official retirement. 'I have nothing else to say. I stick to my speech,' Abdul Rahman told reporters when approached at the Palace of Justice after attending the swearing-in ceremony for his successor and other judicial appointments. Asked why he had only recently made the claim public, Abdul Rahman replied, 'I think this is the right time lah'. When questioned whether he was concerned about possible repercussions, he said: 'I am not worried. I am saying what is right'. In his speech, Abdul Rahman alleged that the pressure came while he was still a junior Federal Court judge, before his elevation to Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. He was appointed a Federal Court judge on August 8, 2019, and later ascended to the role of Chief Judge on January 17, 2023. Recounting the incident, he said he had circulated a draft judgment to six other Federal Court judges, in line with court protocol. He claimed a senior judge responded via email, criticising his views on a constitutional issue in the case. Despite the alleged pressure, Abdul Rahman said he stood by his judgment. Three other judges agreed with his draft, forming the majority. The remaining three judges dissented. He did not name the senior judge involved, nor did he identify the specific case referenced in his remarks. Former chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, when approached by reporters today at the Palace of Justice, declined to engage in a direct back-and-forth over the remarks. 'I don't want to make this a contest of words,' she said, before offering context about her tenure. Tengku Maimun noted that she dissented in five out of 19 Federal Court cases involving constitutional issues during her six-year tenure as chief justice. She said this demonstrated judicial independence on the bench. 'Because if I had any influence on their decisions, then surely I would not be dissenting in five out of 19 cases involving especially constitutional law,' she said.
Free Malaysia Today
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Hasnah now acting CJ and appeals court president, creates history
Hasnah Hashim, 66, secured a six-month extension to her judicial tenure recently, and will retire on Nov 14. (File pic) PUTRAJAYA : Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim, currently the highest ranked judge in the judiciary, creates history today by occupying the top three positions in the judiciary simultaneously. Hasnah, whose office ranks third in the judicial hierarchy, will also assume the judiciary's top two posts in an acting capacity following the mandatory retirement of their erstwhile holders. Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat Former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat retired mandatorily on Monday. She was followed by Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, whose judicial tenure ended yesterday. Both vacated their office on the eve of their 66th birthday, the mandatory retirement age for judges. Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim. Hasnah herself reached the mandatory retirement age on May 13 but secured a six-month extension, allowing her to remain in office until Nov 14. Lawyer A Srimurugan said Hasnah's assumption of the top two posts in an acting capacity arises due to the effect of Sections 8 and 9 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. He said the situation was 'unprecedented'. Hasnah will perform the duties and functions of both offices until they are permanently filled. 'In the past, there have been instances of the Chief Justice or the Court of Appeal President performing the duties of the CJM. 'However, in no case has a junior judicial administrator held the fort of the top two offices,' he told FMT. Among the duties of the chief justice and appeals court president is to empanel judges to hear criminal and civil appeals and other applications that come before their respective courts. Presently, it is unclear who the frontrunners for the two coveted positions are. Article 122B(1) of the Federal Constitution provides that the appointments are made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, acting on the advice of the prime minister, and after consulting the Conference of Rulers. The next conference is scheduled in two weeks. Under the law, a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), set up under the JAC Act 2009, recommends to the prime minister candidates for appointment to all administrative positions in the judiciary. It is not known if there have been any recommendations by the JAC and who Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has in mind for the top two positions. Meanwhile, lawyer Salim Bashir said the top two posts must be filled expeditiously as the functioning of the two courts could be impaired. 'Last year the office of CJM was left vacant for nine months before Hasnah's appointment in November,' said Salim, who is a former Malaysian Bar president. He said that as acting chief justice, Hasnah may be in a position to also call for the monthly JAC meeting to fill the vacancies expeditiously. However, two of the spots on the nine-member panel are now vacant following the retirement of the two judges.
ABC News
19-06-2025
- ABC News
Downing Centre to remain closed for four weeks due to flooding, some part-heard trials aborted
The busiest courthouse in New South Wales will be closed for at least one month, and some part-heard trials aborted, due to flood damage from earlier this week. The Downing Centre on Tuesday was shut down due to a burst water main on Castlereagh Street in Sydney's CBD. Electricity in the courthouse complex went out just before 10am, in the middle of court sittings, and the building was evacuated, with other neighbouring buildings also impacted. The court's media team said "extensive damage" was caused to the infrastructure of the building, the electricity, IT systems and other equipment. It is believed the building still has no power or water. "As a result, the Downing Centre will be closed for at least four weeks … it is clear that extensive repairs will be required which will take a lengthy period of time," a spokesperson said. Further updates from the Department of Communities and Justice are expected in the coming weeks as repairs commence to ensure the building is safe and fully operational prior to its reopening. "Judicial officers and court staff are making every effort to ensure matters are able to proceed wherever possible," the spokesperson said. The NSW Bar Association said it had received notice from the Chief Judge of the District Court, noting the likelihood of some trials being terminated due to the flooding situation. "The District Court's present focus is to complete trials that are part-heard, particularly those where the proceedings are of some age and where the accused is in custody," a statement read. The statement said arrangements were being made to source courtrooms elsewhere within the metropolitan area. Those with matters scheduled in the Downing Centre Local Court or District Court were advised to check the online court, relevant websites or get in touch with Downing Centre advisors. People with matters scheduled in the Drug Court were advised to contact the registry or their Community Corrections Officer. Jurors currently empanelled in criminal trials in the Downing Centre were told they will be contacted by the NSW Sheriff's Office with further updates. "I would ask that legal practitioners prepare parties and witnesses for the fact that over the next few weeks matters listed before the District Court in Sydney may not proceed as originally anticipated," a spokesperson for the Chief Judge of the District Court said. "I assure you that we are doing all we can to ameliorate the significant disruption the Court is facing."
