Malaysia’s Mahathir government appoints Tengku Maimun as first female chief justice
- The former Federal Court justice becomes the country’s top judge with immediate effect
- Her appointment quashes speculation the Mahathir administration was at an impasse with Malaysia’s constitutional monarchs over key appointments
The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that Federal Court judge Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat would assume the position with immediate effect.
Tengku Maimun’s appointment follows the compulsory retirement on April 12 of Richard Malanjum, a Mahathir appointee who stood down as chief justice after turning 66 – the compulsory retirement age for the country’s top judge.
“The appointment of Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat as the new chief justice is most welcomed and will certainly be accepted and appreciated by all quarters, especially by the members of the Bar,” said former Malaysian Bar president George Varughese.
“Her Ladyship is known for her sound decisions, impeccable judicial temperament and most of all her independence. Her Ladyship’s appointment augurs well especially for the reform of the judiciary.”
Mahathir had previously suggested the appointment of a new chief justice was taking longer than expected because the country’s king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, was conferring with other Malay rulers on the government’s choice when he need not have done so.
Questions were raised last year when Mahathir’s multiracial Pakatan Harapan government appointed Malanjum, a Catholic from the state of Sabah, to the job.