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Rakyat Post
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Rakyat Post
Malaysia's First Woman Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Retires Today, Here's Her Legacy
Subscribe to our FREE Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat retires today after serving in the post for six years. She was appointed to the post in 2019 by the then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad after receiving the approval from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Her appointment as the 16 th chief justice made waves because she was the first woman to helm the judiciary. Tengku Maimun retires because she has reached the mandatory retirement age of 66 today. While many asked for her tenure to be extended, Tengku Maimun said she has Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, the first woman and 16th Chief Justice of Malaysia. Image: Malay Mail Her expected successor, Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, is due to retire a day after, while Federal Court judge Nallini Pathmanathan will retire in August. The lack of a formal successor worries the Malaysian Bar, Malaysian Bar president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said the position of a chief justice is not symbolic but central to the integrity, independence, and functioning of the entire judicial system. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously said the service extensions of top judges in the country must follow the procedures set in the Federal Constitution. Tengku Maimun said based on the responses she received from the public, especially from the last few months, and speeches from the lawyers, she believes she has restored public confidence in the judiciary to some extent. She hoped whoever succeeds her will continue her legacy. Who is Tengku Maimun and how did she get here? Tengku Maimun, the second-longest serving Chief Justice, hails from Kota Bharu, Kelantan. She had her primary education at Merbau English School before continuing her secondary years at SMK Kota Bharu and Sultan Ismail College. She finished her sixth form education at Tunku Kurshiah College, a premier girls' boarding school. She went on to read law at University of Malaya and joined the judicial service as a legal officer for the Southern Kelantan Development Board (KESEDAR) in 1982. She later on worked at the Seremban Municipal Council. Following her experience working at the Attorney General's Chambers, Magistrates, and Sessions Courts, she was appointed as a judicial commissioner in 2006. Before becoming a Federal Court judge, the highest court in Malaysia, she served six years as a Court of Appeal judge between January 2013 and November 2018. After the 9 th chief justice, Richard Malanjum's compulsory retirement at the age of 66 in April 2019, Tengku Maimun was announced as his successor in May 2019. This made her the first woman in history to hold the office of Chief Justice Malaysia. Her retirement on 2 July 2025 made her the second longest serving chief justice, a total of 6 years and 62 days. The longest serving chief justice was Malaysia's second chief justice, Mohd Eusoff Chin, with the record of 6 years and 86 days. Tengku Maimun has an illustrious career, having been involved in several high profile cases such as cases concerning the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, the conversion case involving M. Indira Gandhi's daughter, convicting then Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Karpal Singh of sedition, and dismissing Tenaga Nasional Berhad's bid to appeal a High Court decision that it was guilty of negligence for the flood in Bertam Valley, Cameron Highlands. She was also part of the seven-person Federal Court panel chaired by then Chief Justice, Richard Malanjum, to set aside the stay of proceedings granted by the Court of Appeal in the trial of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. This enabled the trial concerning the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd, related to the 1MDB case, to finally begin after much delay. READ MORE: Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
PM Anwar takes flak as Chief Justice role goes vacant
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim has failed to indicate any successor for the highly regarded Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat who retired on July 1. KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia's judiciary is leaderless after its highly regarded top judge retired on July 1 amid stinging criticism, including from the prime minister's allies, over the government's failure to extend her tenure and allegations of interference in the judiciary. As she left the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat confirmed that her tenure was not extended by six months – an option allowed under the law. During Federal Court proceedings on the same day, senior lawyers including Malaysian Bar vice-president Anand Raj and former law professor Gurdial Singh Nijar praised Tun Maimun for her integrity and defence of judicial independence. 'Under your leadership, the judiciary's credibility was restored and reached a level on par with the best in the Commonwealth,' said Datuk Gurdial. For weeks prior to Madam Maimun's retirement, questions have grown among legal practitioners and politicians over the lack of an extension for the Chief Justice and an announcement of a success Madam Maimun is one of nine members of the apex court – including the second and third-highest ranked judges – who have left or are due to retire in the seven months from April to November. With only two new appointments to the bench since November 2024 , the Federal Court could soon be left with just six judges – most of whom joined recently. Only Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang has served on the apex court bench since before 2023. This has fuelled speculation that former Attorney General (AG) Tan Sri Terriruddin Salleh – who was appointed directly to the apex court in November while he was still serving as AG – is set to be fast-tracked to lead the judiciary. 'With the vacancies of half the senior judges in the Federal Court, the question arises as to whether this direct appointment is part of a plan to bypass the existing hierarchy and change the leadership of the judicial institution for the next eight years... (given that) he will only retire in 2033,' former economy minister Rafizi Ramli, who resigned from Cabinet in May, said in a June 30 statement. The MP for Pandan, who recently lost his position as deputy leader in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Parti Keadilan Rakyat to the latter's daughter, did not name Mr Terriruddin specifically. But the mentions of the direct appointment and retirement date leave little doubt that he was referring to the government's former top lawyer, prosecutor and legal advisor. 'This polemic has worsened due to the double standard in other appointments…that have only increased speculation (of political interference),' added Mr Rafizi, referring to recent moves that have stoked controversy. These included anti-graft chief Azam Baki's third 12-month extension in May , and deputy police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay being passed over for the top job of Inspector General of Police in June. The Democratic Action Party (DAP), which has the most MPs in the Anwar administration, issued a statement just hours before Madam Maimun clocked out for the last time on July 1. It said that the 'importance of public confidence in the judiciary is of paramount importance, and we reiterate our position that the extension' of the tenures 'would be consistent with the reformist agenda of the Madani government'. Madani, an Arabic term that roughly translates as 'civilised', is a catchphrase introduced by Mr Anwar to symbolise his vision of a fair, inclusive and progressive society. In response to the public criticisms, the prime minister on June 30 accused those lobbying for judicial extensions of politicising the judiciary. During the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly, Mr Anwar claimed that 'there was a campaign that certain people should have their tenure extended, some others should not'. 'This means that an independent institution and its integrity are being politicised,' he said. However, the DAP insisted in its statement that the calls for extension were not 'an attempt to politicise the matter, but is a result of a genuine recognition of (the judges') contributions to the development and reform of the judiciary which is one of the key priorities' of the government. Mr Rafizi also said that extensions were given to four Federal Court judges but not the Chief Justice and President of the Court of Appeal, thus worsening ' the polemic concerning the independence of the judicial institution that has already been spreading'. Besides Tun Maimun, Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Hashim, who is the second-highest ranking judge as President of the Court of Appeal, is also set to retire on July 2. Two other senior judges – Chief Judge of Malaya (CJM), who is the third-highest ranking, and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak – will see their extensions expire by the end of the year, leaving a gaping void in the leadership of Malaysia's judiciary. The premier's speech on June 30 also prompted the Malaysian Bar to respond, expressing its 'deep concern over the inaction and lack of clarity' on the impending retirement of Madam Maimun as Chief Justice, just a day before her departure. 'This level of silence and indecision on matters concerning the highest level of the Judiciary is indefensible,' Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said in a statement on behalf of the statutory body representing over 21,000 lawyers . 'Leaving the post in uncertainty so close to the retirement date reflects a failure in institutional responsibility,' he said, adding that the lack of clarity is unprecedented and threatens judicial independence. 'This vacuum, at the very apex of the Judiciary, is as absurd as it is dangerous. In the absence of clarity, the public begins to speculate. Rumours thrive, confidence erodes. We caution against conflating legitimate institutional concern and public accountability with politicisation,' he said. In January, Madam Maimun had reminded PM Anwar of his past assertions as opposition leader that the premier should not have ultimate discretion in appointing judges. Since taking office in November 2022, Mr Anwar has repeatedly insisted that he would not interfere in the judiciary. However, senior lawyers told ST that a senior judge was summoned by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) chaired by Madam Maimun in May to answer claims of interference in appointments made since 2024. Controversy had swirled in 2024 due to the nearly nine-month-long vacancy for CJM. The delay persisted even though the JAC had recommended at least three candidates to Mr Anwar, legal sources told The Straits Times then. The JAC is made up of the four top-ranking judges, and five other persons selected by the PM. Media reports at that time claimed that Mr Terrirudin would be appointed directly as CJM. He had in September 2023, during his first week as public prosecutor, decided not to appeal against former premier Najib Razak's acquittal in the 1MDB audit tampering case. Mr Terrirudin was eventually made a Federal Court judge in November 2024 at the same time when Datuk Seri Hasnah Hashim was appointed as CJM. The installation of both judges sparked concerns over judicial interference, as the JAC lacked the required quorum at the time to make such appointments, having only four sitting members since September 2024. Legal circles are now speculating that Mr Terrirudin will eventually be promoted to one of the senior positions beneath Madam Hasnah, who will retire in November, making the former attorney general the leading candidate for Chief Justice later in 2025. Mr Rafizi said: 'Anwar Ibrahim, as Prime Minister, cannot ignore the anxiety of legal practitioners by assuming the issue is merely political attacks.'
Malaysiakini
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Bar to hold EGM over judicial vacancies as CJ's term ends
The Bar Council has called for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to discuss judicial vacancies, as tensions rise over the end of Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat's term, with no successor named. According to a July 1 circular sighted by Malaysiakini, the EGM is scheduled to take place on July 26 at Menara Matrade in Kuala Lumpur, beginning from 10am. The agenda for the meeting is...
Malaysiakini
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
On the appointment of judges and how PM has a role
KINIGUIDE | Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat served her final day as Malaysia's top judge today, before reaching mandatory retirement age, sparking debates about whether her time in office should be extended. This has highlighted questions about how superior court judges are chosen in Malaysia and the prime minister's role in the process. Malaysiakini looks at the existing processes and what the implications are. What does the Constitution say? The general principle for the appointment of judges as per Article 122B of the Federal Constitution is that judges to superior courts - meaning the High, Appeals, and Federal courts - are made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, on the advice of the prime minister. The Constitution also provides that for the appointments of...
Malaysiakini
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
On the appointment of judges and how PM has a role
KINIGUIDE | Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat served her final day as Malaysia's top judge today, before reaching mandatory retirement age, sparking debates about whether her time in office should be extended. This has highlighted questions about how superior court judges are chosen in Malaysia and the prime minister's role in the process. Malaysiakini looks at the existing processes and what the implications are. What does the Constitution say? The general principle for the appointment of judges as per Article 122B of the Federal Constitution is that judges to superior courts - meaning the High, Appeals, and Federal courts - are made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, on the advice of the prime minister. The Constitution also provides that for the appointments of...
