Gov’t already has CJ candidate in mind to replace Malanjum

Putrajaya already has a possible replacement in mind for outgoing Chief Justice Richard Malanjum, who is slated to retire tomorrow.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad confirmed that his government already identified a candidate, but declined to name the person.

“Yes we have, yes we have (a candidate).

"We will tell you (who it is) soon,” he said to reporters earlier today after launching the Malaysian Autoshow 2019 in Serdang, Selangor.

Malanjum was sworn in as the top judicial officer on July 11 last year, becoming the first chief justice to hail from East Malaysia.

He will be retiring as he is nearing the constitutional mandatory retirement age of 66 years and six months.

Speculation had been rife as to who would replace him in the long term, as other top senior judicial officers are also set to retire soon.

This includes Chief Judge of Malaya Zaharah Ibrahim and Court of Appeal President Ahmad Ma'arop, who will be reportedly retiring in May and November respectively.

Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak David Wong Dak Wah is the youngest of the three and could serve until February next year. - Mkini