Latest news with #Hakam
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hakam urges government to extend CJ Tengku Maimun, senior judges' term to uphold judicial reforms
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — The National Human Rights Society of Malaysia (Hakam) has called for transparency and equal treatment in the extension of judicial tenures, expressing concern over reports of selective practices in granting extensions to senior Federal Court judges. In a statement, Hakam highlighted that Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, and Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan have not received the customary six-month extensions under Article 125(1) of the Federal Constitution despite their upcoming retirements. 'This is in stark contrast to extensions granted to Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Seri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim, and Federal Court judges Tan Sri Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal, Datuk Zabariah Mohamad Yusof, and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah,' Hakam said. The group raised concerns about what it described as a selective and opaque approach to judicial extensions, which it said undermines public confidence in the judiciary and threatens its independence. 'Malaysia's judiciary is at a pivotal juncture with nine Federal Court judges set to retire this year. The leadership of Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun, who has been instrumental in restoring public confidence in the judiciary, is essential during this critical period,' Hakam said. Tengku Maimun, Malaysia's first female Chief Justice, has been lauded for her commitment to judicial independence and for presiding over landmark cases with integrity during her tenure under four prime ministers. Hakam also praised her efforts in advocating for judicial reforms to reduce executive influence in judicial appointments. Similarly, Hakam commended Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar and Justice Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan for their exceptional jurisprudence, independence, and adherence to constitutional principles. The group urged the government to ensure consistency and transparency in judicial extensions, calling for clear criteria based on merit and experience rather than political considerations. 'Hakam calls upon the government to extend the tenures of Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun, Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar, and Justice Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan under Article 125(1) of the Federal Constitution,' the statement read. It also demanded transparency in the decision-making process for judicial appointments and extensions, emphasising that an independent judiciary is vital for democracy and human rights protection. 'The stability of our judiciary and public confidence in Malaysia's legal system depend on the fair and equal treatment of our most senior judges,' Hakam added. The society said it would continue monitoring the situation and advocating for judicial independence as a fundamental pillar of Malaysia's constitutional democracy.
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt looking into extensions for senior judges, says PM
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government is 'looking at' extending the tenures of three senior judges, including Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat. KUALA LUMPUR : The government is mulling extending the tenures of three senior judges, including Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Questioned after an event here today, Anwar said briefly: 'We're looking at it.' Earlier today, the National Human Rights Society of Malaysia (Hakam) expressed concern that the three judges have not received the customary six-month extension offers despite their imminent retirement dates. Besides Tengku Maimun, they are Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and senior Federal Court judge Nallini Pathmanathan. Hakam noted that extensions have been granted to five other senior judges, including Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli. Separately, Anwar said the government is also studying a proposal by law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said to raise the retirement age to 65. 'It has not been brought to the Cabinet. Let them study its implications first in terms of the cost involved and the population. There are many implications. 'It is a good proposal that deserves attention and consideration,' he said. On Tuesday, Azalina said it was her personal opinion that many people remain active and capable well into their 60s, based on her observation and current social trends. 'Some of the officers we have met are still very young and active even though they are already 60 years old. 'It would be a waste (to let them go). They can still do the work.' She said the number of Malaysians aged over 60 is increasing, and many of them still appear youthful and energetic.
Daily Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Rights group calls for transparency, equal treatment in judicial extensions
Published on: Thursday, May 22, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 22, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat is expected to retire on July 2, Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim on July 1, and senior Federal Court judge Nallini Pathmanathan on Aug 22. PETALING JAYA: The National Human Rights Society of Malaysia (Hakam) says it is concerned that three senior judges, including Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, have not received the customary six-month extension offers despite their imminent retirement dates. The rights group said that while six-month extensions were granted to five other senior judges – including Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli – similar extensions were not granted to Tengku Maimun, Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, and senior Federal Court judge Nallini Pathmanathan. In a statement, Hakam president M Ramachelvam said the country's judiciary was at a pivotal moment as nine Federal Court judges were set to retire this year. He said the decision to extend their tenures must be guided by clear, consistent, and transparent criteria. 'The current situation raises troubling questions: why have extensions been granted to some Federal Court judges but not to the chief justice, the Court of Appeal president, and Justice Nallini Pathmanathan? 'There is an apparent selective approach to extending the tenures of senior judges in Malaysia's Federal Court. Advertisement 'This unequal and opaque application of Article 125(1) of the Federal Constitution raises serious questions about the government's commitment to judicial independence and threatens the integrity of our nation's justice system at a critical juncture.' Article 125 of the Federal Constitution states that superior court judges shall hold office until the age of 66, although their tenures can be extended for up to six months by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Abang Iskandar is scheduled to retire on July 1 while Tengku Maimun retires the following day. Nallini will retire on Aug 22. Ramachelvam said there was a need to establish clear, objective criteria for judicial extensions that prioritise merit, experience, and institutional stability over other considerations. He also demanded transparency in the decision-making process for judicial appointments and extensions, saying a truly independent judiciary was the cornerstone of democracy and the protection of human rights in Malaysia. 'The stability of our judiciary as well as public, business, and investor confidence in our legal system depend on fair and equal treatment for our most senior judges,' he said. 'In this critical period of transition, Malaysia cannot afford to lose the institutional knowledge, experience, and principled leadership that these senior judges provide.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Free Malaysia Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Rights group calls for transparency, equal treatment in judicial extensions
Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat is expected to retire on July 2, Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim on July 1, and senior Federal Court judge Nallini Pathmanathan on Aug 22. PETALING JAYA : The National Human Rights Society of Malaysia (Hakam) says it is concerned that three senior judges, including Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, have not received the customary six-month extension offers despite their imminent retirement dates. The rights group said that while six-month extensions were granted to five other senior judges – including Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli – similar extensions were not granted to Tengku Maimun, Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, and senior Federal Court judge Nallini Pathmanathan. In a statement, Hakam president M Ramachelvam said the country's judiciary was at a pivotal moment as nine Federal Court judges were set to retire this year. He said the decision to extend their tenures must be guided by clear, consistent, and transparent criteria. 'The current situation raises troubling questions: why have extensions been granted to some Federal Court judges but not to the chief justice, the Court of Appeal president, and Justice Nallini Pathmanathan? 'There is an apparent selective approach to extending the tenures of senior judges in Malaysia's Federal Court. 'This unequal and opaque application of Article 125(1) of the Federal Constitution raises serious questions about the government's commitment to judicial independence and threatens the integrity of our nation's justice system at a critical juncture.' Article 125 of the Federal Constitution states that superior court judges shall hold office until the age of 66, although their tenures can be extended for up to six months by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Abang Iskandar is scheduled to retire on July 1 while Tengku Maimun retires the following day. Nallini will retire on Aug 22. Ramachelvam said there was a need to establish clear, objective criteria for judicial extensions that prioritise merit, experience, and institutional stability over other considerations. He also demanded transparency in the decision-making process for judicial appointments and extensions, saying a truly independent judiciary was the cornerstone of democracy and the protection of human rights in Malaysia. 'The stability of our judiciary as well as public, business, and investor confidence in our legal system depend on fair and equal treatment for our most senior judges,' he said. 'In this critical period of transition, Malaysia cannot afford to lose the institutional knowledge, experience, and principled leadership that these senior judges provide.'
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Hakam urges government to extend CJ Tengku Maimun, senior judges' term to uphold judicial reforms
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — The National Human Rights Society of Malaysia (Hakam) has called for transparency and equal treatment in the extension of judicial tenures, expressing concern over reports of selective practices in granting extensions to senior Federal Court judges. In a statement, Hakam highlighted that Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, and Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan have not received the customary six-month extensions under Article 125(1) of the Federal Constitution despite their upcoming retirements. 'This is in stark contrast to extensions granted to Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Seri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim, and Federal Court judges Tan Sri Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal, Datuk Zabariah Mohamad Yusof, and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah,' Hakam said. The group raised concerns about what it described as a selective and opaque approach to judicial extensions, which it said undermines public confidence in the judiciary and threatens its independence. 'Malaysia's judiciary is at a pivotal juncture with nine Federal Court judges set to retire this year. The leadership of Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun, who has been instrumental in restoring public confidence in the judiciary, is essential during this critical period,' Hakam said. Tengku Maimun, Malaysia's first female Chief Justice, has been lauded for her commitment to judicial independence and for presiding over landmark cases with integrity during her tenure under four prime ministers. Hakam also praised her efforts in advocating for judicial reforms to reduce executive influence in judicial appointments. Similarly, Hakam commended Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar and Justice Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan for their exceptional jurisprudence, independence, and adherence to constitutional principles. The group urged the government to ensure consistency and transparency in judicial extensions, calling for clear criteria based on merit and experience rather than political considerations. 'Hakam calls upon the government to extend the tenures of Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun, Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar, and Justice Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan under Article 125(1) of the Federal Constitution,' the statement read. It also demanded transparency in the decision-making process for judicial appointments and extensions, emphasising that an independent judiciary is vital for democracy and human rights protection. 'The stability of our judiciary and public confidence in Malaysia's legal system depend on the fair and equal treatment of our most senior judges,' Hakam added. The society said it would continue monitoring the situation and advocating for judicial independence as a fundamental pillar of Malaysia's constitutional democracy.
