The curtain was drawn on the four-year tenure of Chief Justice (CJ) Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim following his retirement on Wednesday.

The six-month extension he sought was not given - possibly in the light of the scandalous video clip which purportedly featured Ahmad Fairuz in conversation with lawyer VK Lingam brokering the appointment of judges.

Although Ahmad Fairus has denied his involvement, he came under a barrage of criticisms from various quarters.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that Court of Appeal president Abdul Hamid Mohamad has been appointed the acting CJ. He will serve in that capacity until the position is officially filled.

Malaysiakini contacted several lawyers for their views on Abdul Hamid and the appointment of the next CJ. These are their comments:

Mohd Zaid Ibrahim (Umno MP for Kota Baru, lawyer)

He is a suitable candidate as he seems to be capable and independent. Unfortunately, he will not stay long in the position.

I think in an ideal situation, the chief justice must be given a longer period to perform his duties and bring changes. And Abdul Hamid's tenure will end in a few months' because of the age factor.

We're not talking about the best of situation here, but he (Abdul Hamid) has six months and he can still do something in that six months.

(On the appointment of CJ:) You should always be open and choose the only best for the position. And (the appointment) should be based on seniority and ability.

M Kulasegaran ( DAP MP for Ipoh Barat, lawyer)

Legally speaking, the appointment is correct. However, he's going to be in office only for a short time and that is not enough to bring fundamental changes and reform to the judiciary.

The ulterior intention of the government by appointing Abdul Hamid is just to warm up the seat for Zaki (Federal Court judge Zaki Azmi). The judiciary will suffer further blow if Zaki is appointed as the next CJ.

They (government) tried their level best to get an extension for Ahmad Fairuz's tenure. Now that they have failed, they are playing a game of check and mate.

Ravindra Kumar (Kuala Lumpur Bar Committee chairperson)

The appointment of the acting CJ is a very positive move. It's only fair that the president of the Court of Appeal is holding the position.

I believe Abdul Hamid is a man of integrity and I believe he will do what he can in the six months. Six months is a sufficiently long time to do anything. He has every opportunity to do what he wants.

(On the appointment of the next CJ:) The person appointed must be someone who can uphold the dignity of the judiciary.

Edmund Bon (lawyer)

He would be an appropriate choice for CJ. He seems to be interested in improving the relationship between the Bar and the bench and some of his views are forthcoming. In fact, he even attended the (recently held) law conference.

(Comenting on whether he can bring changes in six months:) It's a start. The rot in the judiciary started long time ago. It's hard to bring changes even if someone is given two years, so you cannot expect much in six months.

We hope that he will look into an independent commission into the appointment of judges although he has not made any public statement about it.