Two retired top judges called to bar before ex-subordinate

Former chief judge of Malaya Azahar Mohamed and Federal Court judge Mohd Zawawi Salleh have begun a new phase in their legal careers… as lawyers.

The two retired top judges were called to the Bar before their former junior, Kuala Lumpur High Court judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh.

During the ceremony attended by family members who sat in the public gallery, Wan Farid said that today is a special occasion as usually, it involves “new kids on the block”.

“On occasions like this, I would usually impart words of wisdom to those who have been admitted to the Bar. I would ponder how best to advise them on their impending journeys as lawyers but I find it difficult on this occasion.

“How do I give words of wisdom (to the former judges) who are far wiser and more experienced than I am? How do you lecture those you consider your mentors?

“I came to the inevitable conclusion that you don’t. You acknowledge them. They both have achieved far greater mileage than me and most of us here in this courtroom. 

“If they were cars, they would be vintage cars. You do not race against vintage cars… in short, it is simply a sight that fills us with awe and reverence,” Wan Farid said.

When the judge asked Attorney-General Idrus Harun and Malaysian Bar president Karen Cheah whether they have objections to the admission petition, both replied they have none as the petition papers are in order.

Wan Farid then granted both retired top judges’ petitions to be admitted into the role of advocates and solicitors in the High Court of Malaya.

Lawyer Azmi Azahar and former Bar president Salim Bashir moved the call for Azahar (above, right) and Zawawi (above, left) respectively. Azmi is the son of Azahar.

Azahar and Zawawi, both 66 years of age, had 42 and 44 years of experience respectively in the legal field, encompassing time as private lawyers, then attached to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) as deputy public prosecutors, before they entered the judiciary as Sessions Court judges and progressed upwards from there.

Zawawi retired in June while Azahar retired last week.

During their time in the judiciary, they have made several noteworthy verdicts, such as their dismissal of former police commando Azilah Hadri’s application to review his conviction and death sentence in the 2006 murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

The duo were also part of the five-person apex court panel, presided by Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, that dismissed former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s application to adduce additional evidence in his appeal in the RM42 million SRC International corruption case.

Najib is currently serving a 12-year jail sentence, following the Federal Court on Aug 23 dismissing his appeal in the case.

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