Loke: PM to announce new Chief Justice after obtaining Malay Rulers’ consent

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will announce the name of the new Chief Justice of Malaya after obtaining the consent of the Conference of Malay Rulers, says Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

The Transport Minister said that the Malay Rulers would be meeting from July 15 to 17.

“The biggest concern right now is that there are vacancies in the top tier of the judiciary,” said Loke after officiating the Malaysia Maritime Week 2025 at a hotel here on Tuesday (July 15).

He was asked to comment on DAP’s stand after a closed-door meeting between Anwar and Pakatan Harapan MPs on the issue.

There has been considerable discussion about the state of the judiciary after Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat’s mandatory retirement as Chief Justice on July 2.

On July 3, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim temporarily assumed the role of Chief Justice.

In a statement, the Chief Registrar’s Office stated that Justice Hasnah assumed the powers and duties of the Chief Justice in accordance with Article 131A of the Federal Constitution, as well as the provisions under Section 9(1)(b) and Section 9(3) of the Courts of Judicature Act.

Article 131A of the Federal Constitution states that if the office of the Chief Justice is vacant, or if the Chief Justice is unable to perform the functions of the office, the next most senior Federal Court judge shall assume those responsibilities until a new appointment is made, or the Chief Justice resumes duty.

Justice Hasnah was elevated to the Federal Court in December 2019. She was appointed as the 14th Chief Judge of Malaya on Nov 12, 2024, making her the third woman to hold the position after Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob and Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim.