On Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat’s final working day, DAP has called on the government to extend her tenure, along with that of Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim.
In a statement today, the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) said both judges had served with distinction and integrity, and their continued leadership would benefit the judiciary. The committee noted that while extensions are not a right under the Federal Constitution, there is precedent for granting them to senior judges reaching mandatory retirement age.
“The CWC recently discussed several matters of national importance. Our support for the extensions is not an attempt to politicise the issue, but a sincere recognition of their contributions to judicial reform—one of the Madani government’s key priorities,” it said.
The committee added that extending the tenures of both judges would demonstrate the government’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary and enhancing its administration.
The CWC also stressed the importance of merit-based decisions in both judicial appointments and extensions of service.
“We note the impending vacancies in the Federal Court due to recent and upcoming retirements. This makes it even more crucial to retain the current Chief Justice and President of the Court of Appeal to ensure a smooth transition for new appointees,” the statement said.
Tengku Maimun’s term ends today, while Abang Iskandar is due to retire tomorrow.