Latest news with #HasnahMohammedHashim
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
New CJ vows to put justice before politics
Judicial milestone: Wan Ahmad Farid (centre) at a ceremony honouring his appointment at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya. Also present are Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim (left) and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk Azizah Nawawi (right). — Bernama PUTRAJAYA: Newly minted Chief Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh has vowed to safeguard the independence of the judiciary amid criticism on his background in politics. Referring to his time in the legislative and executive branches, Wan Ahmad Farid acknowledged his long and varied career, describing it as 'something that I could not erase'. 'I have served in all three branches of the government. I cannot erase my history, political or otherwise. 'But as I assume this most solemn amanah (trust), and for as long as I occupy this chair, I give you my unconditional pledge in the name of God, that I will vigorously protect and relentlessly safeguard the independence of our branch of government with every fibre of my being,' he said in his maiden speech as the country's top judge at a ceremony honouring his appointment yesterday. Wan Ahmad Farid quoted French philosopher Montesquieu, who said that 'there is no liberty if the judiciary in power be not separated from the legislative and executive'. He also called for fellow judges, judicial officers, the Attorney General's Chambers, the Malaysian Bar, the Sabah Law Society, the Advocates Association of Sarawak and other stakeholders to work together with him. 'I pledge to do my level best towards the betterment of the Malaysian judiciary and its independence. 'Let there be a strong message of the independence of the judiciary which shall continue to be loud and clear, echoing not just through the halls of the Palace of Justice and other courthouses but also through all corners of society and all the corridors of power in our country,' he said. Wan Ahmad Farid also said the adoption of technology in courtrooms will continue to enhance the efficiency of the court system and allow better access to justice. 'The judiciary will closely follow technological developments and in particular, the impact of the evolution of artificial intelligence. 'We will ensure that our judges are sufficiently equipped not only to use technology in courts but also to manage issues relating to technology,' he added. On July 28, Wan Ahmad Farid, 62, took the oath of office as the 17th Chief Justice at Istana Negara. The former Court of Appeal judge was also given the instrument of appointment as a Federal Court judge during the ceremony. His appointment came after weeks of speculation following the mandatory retirement of his predecessor, Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, on July 2. Wan Ahmad Farid began his legal career as an advocate and solicitor with Messrs Adnan & Wee in Kuala Terengganu between 1987 and 2003. He was also the political secretary to the late prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi between 2003 and 2008. Between 2008 and 2009, he held a short stint as the deputy home minister. He returned to legal practice between 2011 and 2015 as a partner at Messrs Wan Farid & Surin in Kuala Lumpur before being appointed as a Judicial Commissioner, serving in the High Courts of Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Baru until 2019. He was then elevated to the High Court from 2019 to 2024, with postings in Kota Baru, Shah Alam (Special Powers Division) and Kuala Lumpur (Special Powers Division 3).
The Star
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Chief Judge Hasnah is acting Chief Justice
KUALA LUMPUR: Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim (pic) will assume the powers and responsibilities of the Chief Justice, including functions under the Constitution, until the post is filled. In a statement, the Office of the Chief Registrar said the decision was made under Article 131A of the Federal Constitution and the provisions of Sections 9(1)(b) and 9(3) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 (Act 91). 'The Malaysian judiciary remains steadfast in its role as the guardian of justice and will continue to serve the people and the nation with unwavering dedication,' read the statement, Bernama reported. Hasnah, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 66 on May 15, has had her tenure extended by six months until Nov 14. The post of Chief Justice became vacant following the mandatory retirement of Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat on Wednesday. She was the first woman to hold the nation's highest judicial office. Tengku Maimun was appointed Chief Justice on May 2, 2019, succeeding Tan Sri Richard Malanjum.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Crowd gathers for 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence'
PUTRAJAYA: A crowd began gathering in front of the Palace of Justice on Monday (July 14) as part of the "Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence" organised by the Bar Council. Many lawyers wearing chambers attire along with members believed to be from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), arrived as early as 12.30pm. The Malaysian Bar clarified earlier on Monday that its "Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence"—a march from the Palace of Justice (POJ) to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to submit a memorandum—is not politically motivated, even as reports suggest other groups may participate. The circular further stated that representatives from the PMO will be present to receive the memorandum after the 2.6km walk from the POJ to the PMO, where the event is scheduled to begin at 2pm. There is minimal police presence, but marshals believed to be part of the Bar Council are monitoring the march. An ambulance is also on standby near the Palace of Justice. The walk aims to express legal professionals' concern over the vacancies for top posts and other senior judges in the Federal Court and the unfilled positions of judges at various levels, especially the High Court. Currently, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim is assuming the responsibilities of the Chief Justice, while Federal Court judge Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof is taking on the tasks of the Court of Appeal President. On Sunday (July 13), the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, stated that the appointment of a new Chief Justice to head the judiciary will be decided only after the next Conference of Rulers, scheduled for July 15-17.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Legal milestone: New appointments sees women in top roles in judiciary
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has once again made history with the appointments of Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim as Acting Chief Justice and Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof as Acting President of the Court of Appeal. For the second time in our nation's history, women now lead the top two positions in the judiciary. Billed as RM9.73 for the 1st month then RM13.90 thereafters. RM12.33/month RM8.63/month Billed as RM103.60 for the 1st year then RM148 thereafters. Free Trial For new subscribers only
CNA
03-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Malaysia's third-ranked judge to take on Chief Justice duties until position is filled
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's third-ranked judge, Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Mohammed Hashim, will take on the duties of the Chief Justice following Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat's retirement on Wednesday (Jul 2). Judge Hasnah will exercise the powers of the Chief Justice 'until that position is filled', said the Chief Registrar's Office of the Federal Court of Malaysia on Thursday. Malaysia's top two judiciary positions are vacant after Tengku Maimun retired as Chief Justice when she turned 66 on Wednesday, and Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim retired as the President of the Court of Appeal when he turned 66 a day later. Judge Hasnah reached the mandatory retirement age of 66 in May, but her term was extended by six months until mid-November by Malaysia's king. The Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Abdul Rahman Sebli, will retire this month when his six-month extension ends. The statement by the Chief Registrar's Office did not mention the role of the Court of Appeal president, but it added: "The Malaysian Judiciary remains steadfast in carrying out its responsibility as the guardian of justice and will continue to serve the people and the nation with utmost dedication.' The judicial vacancies at the highest level have caused disquiet in Malaysia's legal and political circles. On Monday, the Malaysian Bar slammed the 'silence and indecision on matters concerning the highest level of the judiciary', calling it 'indefensible' and a 'failure in institutional responsibility'. 'A breakdown in governance risks damaging public confidence in the judiciary and opens the door to speculation and unhealthy conjecture,' said Malaysian Bar president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab, whose body comprises the country's 21,400 advocates and solicitors. The Democratic Action Party (DAP), which is part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's governing coalition, on Tuesday called for a six-month extension for Tengku Maimun and Abang Iskandar 'given their contributions and performances'. There will be 'many vacancies left in the Federal Court due to the recent and impending retirements of Federal Court judges', the DAP's central working committee said in a statement. CNA reported in February that nine of the 14 judges of the Federal Court, the country's apex judicial body, are reaching the retirement age within months of each other. Extending Tengku Maimun and Abang Iskandar's terms would 'ensure a smooth transition of new appointees to the Federal Court in due course', the DAP committee added. However, Communications Minister and government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said the Cabinet did not deliberate in detail on the appointment of a new Chief Justice during its meeting on Wednesday. The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as Anwar is currently on a week-long working visit to Italy, France and Brazil, Fahmi said, as reported by news outlet Malay Mail. PRIME MINISTER'S ROLE IN APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES The Chief Justice is appointed by the king, also known as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, on the prime minister's advice and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers made up of the heads of the country's royal households. Malaysia established a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) in 2009 that proposes qualified judicial candidates to the prime minister. The JAC Act was meant to ensure that the selection process of judges would be unbiased, but lawyers told CNA previously that, in practice, new appointments often attract intense lobbying by politicians and segments in Malaysia's royal households. There has been talk that Terrirudin Mohd Salleh – Malaysia's former Attorney General who was appointed to the Federal Court in November 2024 with the backing of Anwar –is being promoted by politicians and segments of the royal households to be the next Chief Justice, CNA reported in February. In April, then-Chief Justice Tengku Maimun said removing the prime minister's role in the appointment of judges could free it from any perception of political influence. There have been proposals to amend the JAC Act 2009 and the Federal Constitution to remove the role of the prime minister in the appointment of judges, she said in a speech at the 24th Commonwealth Law conference in Malta, as reported by news site Free Malaysia Today. 'Such changes, in my view, would reinforce the impartiality of the selection process, ensuring that judicial appointments remain firmly grounded on merit and free from any perception of political influence,' she said. Anwar said on Monday he has never interfered in judicial matters including the appointment of judges. "When someone retires, their service is not automatically extended," he said at the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly. "Some asked if this is the prime minister's decision? But if one understands the Federal Constitution, they would know the process," he said, as reported by media outlet New Straits Times (NST). "Just look at the recent appointments where they go to the King, then are presented for discussion with the Conference of Rulers. So all these procedures must be followed,' he said.
