Former solicitor-general Idrus Harun has been appointed as one of the seven new Court of Appeal judges, while former Attorney-General'sl Chambers prosecution head Azahar Mohamed has been elevated from the appellate court to the Federal Court.

Idrus, 59, who hails from Alor Setar, Kedah, had been the solicitor-general since 2006 and previously served in many capacities including as a former Terengganu state legal adviser and a Sessions Court judge.

With Justice Azahar's elevation, he is one of the youngest judges in the apex court at 58.

With his elevation, the Federal court judges now numbers 11, with some like Justice Zaleha Zahari, scheduled to retire at year’s end.

Justice Azahar, who hails from Johor Baru, was one of those in the prosecuting team in Anwar Ibrahim's Sodomy I hearing.

Besides Idrus, the others elevated to the Court of Appeal are Justice Nallini Pathmanathan, Dr Badariah Sahamid, Vernon Ong Lam Kiat, Abdul Rahman Sebli and Dr Prasad Sandosham Abraham.

Among the notable absentees in the elevation from Court of Appeal to the Federal Court is Justice Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus, and Justice Abdul Wahab Patail, the elder brother of attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail.

The two are the most senior Court of Appeal judges, with Justice Mohd Hishamudin, who is scheduled to retire next year, being known for his independent-minded stands.

Justice Azahar took his oath of office before Chief Justice Arifin Zakaria, while the seven new Court of Appeal judges took theirs before Court of Appeal president, Justice Md Raus Sharif.

Seven High Court judges, previously judicial commissioners, who are now confirmed are Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, Kamaludin Md Said, Ahmad Nasfy Yasin, Teo Say Eng, Rosilah Yop, Hashim Hamzah and Azizah Nawawi.

They took their oath before Chief Judge of Malaya Justice Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin.

Earlier, all of them were presented with the instruments of appointment by the Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah.

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