01-07-2025
Malaysia's first female CJ retires: ‘No regrets' as six-year term ends, says non-extension not an issue
PUTRAJAYA, July 1 — Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat today said she had 'no regrets' throughout the six years leading Malaysia's judiciary, and said it was not an issue that she was not given a six-month extension.
Today was her last official day in court, as she will be retiring tomorrow when she reaches the age of 66, the mandatory retirement age for judges.
When met briefly by reporters as she said her farewell to court staff at the Palace of Justice, Tengku Maimun was asked about her greatest regret.
'No regrets, no regrets. It has been a great privilege and honour to serve as the 16th Chief Justice of the Malaysian judiciary. And Alhamdulillah, I think Allah has blessed my affairs.
'Throughout these six years, things have been easy relatively. And I think that is all because of the grace and blessings from Allah,' she said.
Court staff bids farewell to Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who will be retiring tomorrow, at the Palace of Justice July 1, 2025. — Picture by Ida Lim
When asked if she was sad that her tenure had not been extended by six months, Tengku Maimun said: 'No, not really. Because you know what? Because I think being a Chief Justice was never my dream.'
'So when it's not your dream to be whatever, and you are in that position for six years, and I have completed that term, whether I have achieved anything great or not, as I was saying, it isn't up to me to say.
'But all I can say is that I have served six years, exactly six years, from May 2, 2019, one day less than six years, until July 1, 2025, in good health, and I think that itself is a blessing.
'And no regrets, because of the fact that I have completed my term as a Chief Justice.
'So the fact that I have not been extended for another six months, that's no issue. No issue at all. Six months is not significant compared to the six years,' she said.
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