No regrets as six-year term ends.
Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said she has “no regrets” as she prepares to step down after six years at the helm of Malaysia’s judiciary, adding that the lack of a six-month extension to her term is not an issue.
Speaking briefly to reporters while bidding farewell to court staff at the Palace of Justice today, Tengku Maimun, who retires tomorrow upon turning 66—the mandatory retirement age for judges—reflected positively on her tenure.
“No regrets, no regrets. It has been a great privilege and honour to serve as the 16th Chief Justice of the Malaysian judiciary. And Alhamdulillah, I think Allah has blessed my affairs,” she said.
“Throughout these six years, things have been relatively easy. And I think that is all because of the grace and blessings from Allah.”
When asked if she was disappointed that her term was not extended by six months, she replied: “No, not really. Because you know what? I think being a Chief Justice was never my dream.”
“So when it’s not your dream to be whatever, and you are in that position for six years, and I have completed that term—whether I have achieved anything great or not—it isn’t up to me to say.
“But all I can say is that I have served six years, exactly six years, from May 2, 2019—one day less than six years—until July 1, 2025, in good health, and I think that itself is a blessing.”
She reiterated: “No regrets, because of the fact that I have completed my term as Chief Justice. So the fact that I have not been extended for another six months—that’s no issue. No issue at all. Six months is not significant compared to the six years.”