Lawyers say farewell to retiring top judges in moving speeches

PUTRAJAYA: Several prominent lawyers took turns to wish Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim a happy retirement in an impromptu farewell as both the two top posts in judiciary will be vacated soon.

Just after the proceedings of a case ended at the Federal Court, Malaysian Bar vice-president Anand Raj, spoke on behalf of the Malaysian Bar to express its appreciation and gratitude for Tengku Maimun’s leadership since May 2019.

Today is Tengku Maimun’s last working day as she is celebrating her 66th birthday tomorrow and therefore, reaching the retirement age.

“As Yang Amat Arif steps down, you will leave behind a judiciary that is more accessible, efficient and technologically advanced than before, and more importantly you leave behind a principled leadership that has enhanced confidence in our judicial system,” he said here on Tuesday (July 1).

Tengku Maimun was chairing a five-judge panel at the Federal Court which also included Abang Iskandar.

Anand noted that Tengku Maimun was the first woman judge to be appointed as the CJ while Abang Iskandar was the first judge from Sabah and Sarawak to hold the Court of Appeal president (PCA) post.

Abang Iskandar’s last working day is tomorrow (July 2) as his birthday falls on July 3.

Anand said the Malaysian Bar thanked both the CJ and the PCA for their integrity in their roles.

“The Malaysian Bar wishes to record its gratitude towards Yang Amat Arif-Yang Amat Arif and on behalf of the Bar and the entire legal community, we thank you for your 42 years of your exemplary leadership. You have served with honour, led with wisdom, and have inspired with your integrity.

“To both CJ and PCA, we wish you all the best and happy birthday,” he said.

Earlier, senior lawyer Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar said in his speech that the judiciary’s credibility has been restored under the leadership of Tengku Maimun.

“It has reached a level on par with the best judiciary in the Commonwealth,” he said.

Gurdial said with Tengku Maimun’s leadership, the judiciary was restored and the “scars” during the lowest point in the 1988 judicial crisis were “wiped away”.

“Your vigorous defence of the judiciary in the last few months must be commended,” he said.

Meanwhile, lawyer Lim Wei Jiet said both Tengku Maimun and Abang Iskandar were inspirational to young lawyers, law students and civil society members.

“Your fidelity to the Federal Constitution, rule of law, judicial independence and separation of powers have certainly created a renaissance of sorts for the state of law in Malaysia,” he said.

Tengku Maimun, who also spoke on behalf of Abang Iskandar, thanked the lawyers for their well wishes and the Malaysian Bar for their steadfast support of the judiciary.

“All the support given by everyone of you in the times of challenges we face, when the judiciary is under attack. We can say we have been defended by the Bar and several other bodies and individuals. For that, I’m grateful.

“Thank you for all the kind wishes. We wish all members of the Bar all the best, may you succeed in all your endeavours. Thank you, court is adjourned,” she said.