The amendment to Article 125 of the Federal Constitution seeking to extend the retirement age of Federal Court judges by one year may be tabled in the June parliamentary session.

Minister in the Prime Ministers Department Dr Rais Yatim said the proposed amendment was delayed because he had to consider several other amendment proposals.

I am still working on the amendment to extend judges retirement age from 65 to 66, and it may be tabled in June.

Regrettably, we have lost two good judges due to the delay, he said in an interview with malaysiakini today.

Rais was referring to former Court of Appeal judge Justice Shaikh Daud Ismail whose tenure was extended for only six months from Jan 20, 2001, and serving Court of Appeal judge Justice KC Vohrah who is retiring this year.

Too late for two judges

Article 125 of the Federal Constitution governs the tenure and remuneration of judges. Sub-article (1) provides for a Federal Court judge to hold office until the age of 65 with a provision for a six-month extension.

In the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Kubang Kerian (PAS) MP Husam Musa questioned the whereabouts of a Bill scheduled to be tabled with the proposal to allow the extension of the Chief Justices retirement age for another two years and the Federal Court judges retirement age for one year.

Prime Ministers Department parliamentary secretary Mohd Noh Omar replied that it was the Kings prerogative to appoint a new or extend a chief justices tenure.