A legitimate question of whether the recent direct appointment to the Federal Court part of a plan to bypass seniority and reshape judicial leadership for the next eight years.
Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has cautioned Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim against dismissing concerns over the non-extension of Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat’s tenure as mere political rhetoric.
In a statement today, Rafizi said the decision not to extend Tengku Maimun’s term would only heighten public unease over judicial independence, particularly following the recent appointment of a Federal Court judge.
He pointed out that besides the Chief Justice, six other senior judges are due to retire within the next six months. This would leave four key positions vacant, including the President of the Court of Appeal and Chief Judges of Malaya and Sabah and Sarawak.
“With more than half the senior judges retiring, there is a legitimate question: is the recent direct appointment to the Federal Court part of a plan to bypass seniority and reshape judicial leadership for the next eight years, especially since the judge in question will only reach mandatory retirement in 2033?” he asked.
Although Rafizi did not mention names, his remarks are believed to refer to Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh, appointed to the Federal Court last November, a day after retiring as Attorney General. There has been speculation that he may be elevated to the Chief Judge of Malaya role—currently the judiciary’s third-highest post.
The current Chief Judge of Malaya, Hasnah Hashim, is scheduled to retire on 14 November, having received a six-month extension in March.
Rafizi said these developments have deepened public concern, especially when viewed alongside perceived double standards in other top-level appointments.
“When MACC chief Azam Baki’s term has been extended three times beyond retirement age, and Deputy IGP Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay was not promoted to Inspector-General, it is only natural that such speculation will grow,” he said.
He also referred to the recent controversy involving a senior judge allegedly questioned by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) over possible interference in judicial matters.
Tengku Maimun’s final day in office is tomorrow, with retirement set for Wednesday unless her term is extended for six months under provisions in the Federal Constitution. However, Anwar has dismissed calls for an extension, describing them as attempts to politicise the judiciary.
Court of Appeal President Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim is also due to retire on Thursday. In the coming months, Hasnah, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli, and Federal Court judges Nallini Pathmanathan, Zabariah Yusof, and Hanipah Farikullah will follow.
Rahman, Zabariah, and Hanipah have all received six-month extensions.
Rafizi argued that the same consideration should apply to Tengku Maimun and Abang Iskandar.
“This is not political, nor an attempt to politicise judicial appointments. It is a reasonable step in light of the current situation, where the departure of more than half of the Federal Court will inevitably slow court proceedings,” he said.
The Pandan MP concluded by urging PKR and Pakatan Harapan, led by Anwar as president and chairman respectively, to stay true to their principles on judicial independence or risk losing public trust.
“It would be deeply regrettable if PKR and Harapan are one day accused of undermining the judiciary, sparking a new generation determined to oppose them,” he warned.