Friday, June 28, 2013

VT Singham retires after illustrious judicial career


Kuala Lumpur High Court judge VT Singham, who delivered the A Kugan judgment two days ago, is retiring after serving 13 years on the bench.

Justice Singham retires today at the age of 65. Officials from the judiciary’s corporate communications and international relations department indicated that was his chosen age of retirement.

Normally, judges, including those in the Federal Court, can serve on the bench until they are 66, which is the compulsory retiring age.  

Singham was appointed a High Court judicial officer in 2000 after being in private practice, and was confirmed a full High Court judge in 2002.
He is the most senior High Court judge and until his retirement today, he had served in Temerloh, Taiping, Ipoh, Kuantan and in Kuala Lumpu.
It is also learned that Singham was a part-time news reporter in the early days of his life.

Known for his witty comments and spontaneous rulings, Singham, a bachelor, is known as a hard, fair and judicious judge willing to go the extra mile in hearing cases and giving advice to lawyers.

Among the civil cases he has presided over, besides Kugan’s, are Opposition Lleader Anwar Ibrahim’s suit against Utusan Malaysia’sgroup editor Abdul Aziz Ishak and the suit by Shazryl Eskay Abdullah of the 'Datuk T trio' fame on the crooked bridge project.

Several blogs and Malay rights group Perkasa have also attacked Justice Singham’s fairness in favouring Anwar in the suit, by questioning his sexual orientation.

However, that matter is subject to an on-going contempt proceeding involving Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali and the blogger.

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