Latest news with #NalliniPathmanathan
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.
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Anwar: Govt considering extending Tengku Maimun's tenure as chief justice
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — The government is considering extending the tenure of Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today. Tengku Maimun, the first woman to serve as the country's chief justice, is set to retire on June 30 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 66. When asked whether an extension would be granted to Tengku Maimun, Anwar briefly responded: 'Well, we are looking into it.' Anwar made the announcement after launching the Hadiah Bahasa 2025, which is making a comeback after 27 years at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, here, today. On Tuesday, Tengku Maimun reportedly said that she as well as the President of the Court of Appeal Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan are still waiting on the offer for the extension of their tenure. Abang Iskandar is due to retire on July 1, while Nallini Pathmanathan is due to retire on Aug 21, as they have both reached the mandatory retirement age. Under Article 125(1) of the Federal Constitution, Federal Court judges may serve until age 66, with the possibility of a six-month extension subject to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's approval.
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Anwar: Govt considering possibility of extending Tengku Maimun's tenure as chief justice
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — The government is considering the possibility of extending the tenure of Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today. Tengku Maimun, the first woman to serve as the country's chief justice, is set to retire on June 30 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 66. When asked whether an extension would be granted to Tengku Maimun, Anwar briefly responded: 'Well, we are looking into it.' Anwar made the announcement after launching the Hadiah Bahasa 2025, which is making a comeback after 27 years at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, here, today. On Tuesday, Tengku Maimun reportedly said that she as well as the President of the Court of Appeal Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan are still waiting on the offer for the extension of their tenure. Abang Iskandar is due to retire on July 1, while Nallini Pathmanathan is due to retire on Aug 21, as they have both reached the mandatory retirement age. Under Article 125(1) of the Federal Constitution, Federal Court judges may serve until age 66, with the possibility of a six-month extension subject to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's approval.
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
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
No word yet on tenure extension for Tengku Maimun, 2 other senior judges
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 21. PUTRAJAYA : The judiciary is still awaiting formal letters as to whether the tenure of three senior judges, including Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, will be extended. The other two are Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim and senior Federal Court judge Nallini Pathmanathan. 'It is still pending and we are still waiting for a reply,' Tengku Maimun told reporters after attending a ceremony marking the elevation of three judges today. Article 125 of the Federal Constitution states that superior court judges shall hold office until age 66, but their tenure can be extended for up to six months by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Abang Iskandar is scheduled to go on mandatory retirement on July 1, while Tengku Maimun retires the following day. Nallini will retire on Aug 21. The king had earlier extended the tenure of five apex court judges, including two judicial administrators. They are Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim, who will now remain in office until Nov 14, and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli, who will remain in office until July 24. The others are Justices Zabariah Yusof (until Oct 9) and Hanipah Farikullah (until Nov 22). Justice Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil was also offered an extension but he declined the offer and left office last month. Earlier today, Justice Lee Swee Seng, who was promoted to the Federal Court, took his oath of office before Tengku Maimun. Justices Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz and Lim Hock Leng, who were elevated from the High Court to the Court of Appeal, took their oaths before Abang Iskandar.
