PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) has described as “unusual and unprecedented” the fact that Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim who is slated for retirement this November is made to temporarily assume the role of Chief Justice (CJ) and Court of Appeal (COA) president.
The CJ post became vacant when Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat’s six-year tenure ended on Tuesday (July 1) while that of the appellant court president fell vacant when Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim’s tenure of more than two years and five months ended yesterday (July 2).
Both Tengku Maimun and Abang Iskandar had reached the mandatory retirement age for judges of 66 without been offered a six-month extension while Hasnah who turned 66 on May 15 this year is on a six-month extension until November 14 this year. She was appointed the Chief Judge of Malaya on Nov 12 last year.
“This strange development in the country’s legal history raises major questions about the integrity of the system of separation of powers and the independence of the judicial institution which is the basis of the the rule of law in any democratic country.” PAS secretary-general Datu Seri Takiyuddin Hassan hit out.
“More surprisingly, this happened at a time when the Federal Government and the Prime Minister (PM) seemed to officially confirm the intention not to grant a service extension to the duo.”
Added the Perikatan Nasional chief whip: The PM’s failure to take immediate and appropriate action o address the highest appointment in the judiciary raises very big question marks and creates the perception of obvious interference, deliberate neglect or worse, a hidden plan to influence or control the country’s judicial system.”
Stating that this will inevitably result in delays of legal processes in the courts, Takiyuddin who is also PAS Kota Bahru MP urged PMX who is currently on a three-nation tour until July 7 to:
- Provide immediate explanations to the rakyat about this delay;
- Publicly deny any intention to interfere with judicial independence;
- Expedite the permanent appointment process for the Chief Justice and the appellant court president. – July 3, 2025
