Rahmat Khairulrijal
PUTRAJAYA: The Judiciary Department remains tight-lipped about the vacancy for the Chief Judge of Malaya (CJM).
The position remains vacant for almost seven months following the retirement of Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah in March.
Sources from the Judiciary Department declined to issue any statement when asked to comment on the issue yesterday.
Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim would perform the duties and functions of that office until the position is permanently filled.
Chief justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat made the appointment under Section 9(3)(a) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, which states that a Federal Court judge may exercise the duties of the CJM in the event of a vacancy.
However, Abang Iskandar is slated to retire in June next year.
Former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim recently called Tengku Maimun to seek an audience with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, to address the issue.
In a post on X, Zaid said the top judge's reputation as an administrator would be tarnished if she failed to solve the issue.
"The position of the CJM is crucial because he or she will succeed Tengku Maimun as chief justice.
"Such person needs the qualities that Tengku Maimun has and more to ensure continuity of excellence in the judiciary.
"The law states that the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) will recommend one or two names to the prime minister.
"I am sure the commission has done that, and I believe the commission would have given the alternative name to please the prime minister, for him to submit to the king as the final decision-maker.
"If the prime minister is difficult to please, then the chief justice, as chairman of the commission, has to visit and 'menghadap' the Istana to get the commission's recommendation approved," he said.