MAHATHIR DROPPING A HINT TO ‘TARDY’ ROYALS? APPROVAL FOR NEW CJ SHOULD COME BEFORE END OF THIS WEEK, SAYS PM: INDEED, CAN A COUNTRY FUNCTION WELL WITHOUT A CHIEF JUSTICE

PUTRAJAYA expects to receive the approval from the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and Conference of Rulers on the government’s choice for the new chief justice (CJ) post by the end of this week, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He told reporters today that the government was still waiting for the approval before announcing the replacement for retired Chief Justice Richard Malanjum, who stepped down on April 12 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 66 years and six months.

"We are waiting for the approval from the rulers,” said Dr Mahathir.

“I think it should come before the end of this week.”

Malanjum’s appointment had not run smoothly in the six months he was CJ, as questions had been raised over the appointment of a non-Malay to the post.

Singapore’s Straits Times had said in a recent report that Dr Mahathir had submitted the government’s candidate for the post early this month, but had yet to receive the king’s consent on the matter.

THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT