Richard Malanjum, Zaharah Ibrahim likely new CJ, chief judge of Malaya

The appointment of top judges is on the agenda of the Conference of Rulers which meets for two days from today.

Zaharah Ibrahim, Richard Malanjum, Ahmad Maarop and David Wong Dak Wah.

PETALING JAYA: While Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak (CJSS) Richard Malanjum looks set to be appointed as chief justice, a woman judge is believed to have been nominated to become the new chief judge of Malaya (CJM).

Sources said Malanjum, who was made a Federal Court judge in 2006, was the obvious front runner as he had been bypassed for promotions since 2011.

“History will be created as he will be the first Sabahan or Sarawakian to occupy the post as head of the judiciary,” a source told FMT.

The Conference of Rulers is meeting for two days from today, and one of the items on the agenda is a decision on the appointment of judges for all four administrative positions in the judiciary – CJ, Court of Appeal (COA) president, CJM and CJSS.

The source said Zaharah Ibrahim, who has been a Federal Court judge since 2015, had been nominated for the CJM’s post, replacing Ahmad Maarop who would be elevated to become COA president.

If this happens, it will be the second time a woman judge has held the position, the first being Siti Norma Yaakob from 2005 to 2007.

Federal Court judge David Wong Dak Wah, 64, is expected to take over the position currently held by Malanjum.

However, the tenures of both Richard and Zaharah would be very short.

Malanjum will reach the mandatory retirement age of 66 on Oct 12 and can remain in office until April if the king gives him a six-month extension.

Zaharah will retire on Nov 16 and can remain in office until May if an extension is approved.

Ahmad, who assumed his present position on April 1 last year, will turn 66 on May 21 next year.

The vacancies arose following the resignation of CJ Raus Sharif and COA president Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin, which will take effect on July 31.

Since 2009, a Judicial Appointments Commission led by the CJ has suggested names of judges for promotion to the prime minister.

However, retired Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram said the prime minister could bypass the names given by the JAC due to a provision in the Federal Constitution.

He said Article 122B (1) stated that judges and all administrative position holders shall be appointed by the king, acting on the advice of the prime minister, after consultation with the Conference of Rulers.

Sri Ram said the prime minister was free to consult members of his Cabinet, the attorney-general, the Bar Council and any other persons that he trusted before deciding on his choice of chief justice. -FMT