KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 — Malaysia’s chief judge-in-waiting, Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff, will retire this August 7, a year ahead of schedule, ostensibly on health grounds although talk is the move is related to judicial succession.
The Malaysian Insider understands the President of the Court of Appeal had sent a letter to the King last week, asking to retire on his 65th birthday this year, due to ill-health related to prostate issues.
“Alauddin sent the letter last week and he should retire on August 7 when he turns 65,” a source told The Malaysian Insider.
Another source confirmed the resignation letter was sent. Alauddin’s term as Court of Appeal President only expires in August, 2012.
“There is talk of dissatisfaction on the succession after Zaki but the judges won’t talk about this openly,” a source told The Malaysian Insider.
Officials in the judicial service declined comment when asked by The Malaysian Insider.
Alauddin was in line to take over as the country’s top judicial post as chief justice from Tun Zaki Azmi, 66 this year, and is scheduled to retire in September.
His decision to leave ahead of time will likely pave the way for Tan Sri Arifin Zakaria, currently the Chief Judge of Malaya, to fill the top position.
It is unknown which Federal Court judges will be appointed to fill in the other two positions.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong has been notified and is expected to reply within the week.
Kedah-born Alauddin’s career in the courts appear to follow a conventional route.
He studied law at the University of Malaya in 1966; was offered a scholarship to read law at the Inner Temple, London a year later; was admitted as a Barrister-at-Law in 1970; and joined the legal and judicial service as an officer the following year.
He served as a magistrate for two years, was appointed president of the Session’s Court in Sungai Petani, Kuantan and Taiping before joining the Attorney-General’s Chambers in 1977.
Alauddin was state legal advisor in Johor and Negri Sembilan being seconded to Petronas Carigali where he was juggled work as legal advisor and secretary.
In June 1989, he was picked to be chairman of the advisory board in the Prime Minister’s Department.
Alauddin was made a judicial commissioner in the Kuala Lumpur High Court in February 1992, and after confirmation half a year later, served in Johor, Perlis and his home state until he was promoted to the Court of Appeal on April 15, 2001.
He was elevated to the Federal Court three years later.
On September 5, 2007, he rose to the judiciary’s third-most important seat as Chief Judge of Malaya.
He was promoted to his current position as Court of Appeal President on October 18, 2008.
Alauddin is married to Puan Sri Munirah Abd. Rahman and is father to three children. - Malaysian Insider
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