KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya has to address speculation that Attorney-General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh, 56, is tipped to be appointed as a Federal Court judge, and subsequently chief judge of Malaya, said a government lawmaker.
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said this had nothing to do with Terrirudin’s performance as AG but the practice of appointing chief judges, especially when there were judges who were qualified for the post.
The chief judge of Malaya is the third highest position in the country’s judiciary hierarchy.
“No doubt, there have been precedents from the times of previous governments of a former AG being appointed as a Federal Court judge and a practising lawyer being appointed as a Court of Appeal judge who was eventually appointed chief justice.
“But the question is whether these are precedents the government should be following, having regard to its commitments to reforms, particularly judicial reforms,” he said in a statement today.
“Such precedents ought to be abandoned as they give rise to the perception of government interference in the appointment of senior judges since such appointments are ultimately made on the advice of the prime minister under Article 122B of the Federal Constitution.
“It cannot be overemphasised that there are qualified candidates from the line-up of current serving Federal Court judges to fill the post.
“It is understood that recommendations have been made by the Judicial Appointments Committee which is chaired by the current chief justice (Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat),” said the former deputy law minister.
He added that public confidence in the judiciary had been considerably restored, especially with many recent Federal Court judgments being praised as reflecting the independence of the judiciary.
Ramkarpal said the Madani government should refrain from recruiting someone who had not served on the bench to serve as chief judge.
“Appointing an outsider to one of the country’s most senior judicial posts would certainly be a step backward and would reflect poorly on the government’s commitment to judicial reforms.
“It also comes across as unappreciative of the work the current members of the judiciary have been doing to restore public and international confidence in the judicial arm of Malaysia.”
On June 9, it was reported that Terrirudin’s name was submitted by the Prime Minister’s Office for endorsement by the Conference of Rulers at its upcoming meeting.
Justice Tan Sri Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah was appointed chief judge of Malaya in January 2023 and went on mandatory retirement on February 29 this year.
For now, Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim is acting chief judge of Malaya until the position is permanently filled. – July 14, 2024