The Malaysian Bar welcomes the recent appointments of four distinguished individuals to the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), as well as the appointments of the chief judge of Malaya and the attorney general of Malaysia.
These appointments mark significant developments for the Malaysian judiciary and legal system, and we congratulate the appointees on their esteemed roles.
The appointments to the JAC include:
- Former attorney general Idrus Harun
- Retired Federal Court judge Zainun Ali
- Former Sarawak attorney general Talat Mahmood Abdul Rashid
- Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) legal adviser Associate Professor Hartini Saripan
The expertise and experience of these eminent persons will undoubtedly enhance the JAC’s role in selecting candidates for judicial appointments with integrity and independence.
Their appointments also restore the JAC’s ability to convene after a quorum issue rendered it inoperative since September 2024.
The Malaysian Bar also celebrates the appointment of Hasnah Hashim as the new Chief Judge of Malaya, the third-highest position in the judiciary. Her appointment is a testament to her exemplary judicial career and dedication to upholding the rule of law. As the third female chief judge of Malaya in Malaysia’s history, she will bring invaluable experience and perspective to the judiciary.
Additionally, we commend the appointment of Dusuki Mokhtar as the new attorney general. Dusuki, who was the head of the appellate and trial division of the Attorney General’s Chambers, succeeds Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh, who has been elevated to the Federal Court. Dusuki’s extensive public service experience and leadership within the chambers position him well to navigate the legal and constitutional challenges ahead.
These appointments come at a crucial time and reaffirm the importance of a transparent, merit-based process in selecting leaders for key legal and judicial institutions.
The Malaysian Bar acknowledges the Agong and the government for expediting these appointments, thus ensuring continuity and stability in the administration of justice.
We look forward to continued progress in strengthening the independence, accountability and effectiveness of our legal system, which are foundational to the rule of law and public confidence in the Malaysian judicial system. – Bar, 12 November 2024
Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab is president of the Malaysian Bar
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