Abang Iskandar poised to be first Sarawakian CJ, says report

Summary

• Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim is expected to succeed Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat as the next Chief Justice.

• Newly appointed Federal Court Judge Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh is tipped to take over as Court of Appeal president.

Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim is expected to become the next Chief Justice, succeeding Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who is scheduled to retire in June, according to a news report.

“The appointment appears to be strategic as there is currently no other Sarawakian who is likely to come close to being made top judge in the near future,” a source told FMT.

The source also claimed that Federal Court judge Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh, who is the most junior among the 10 apex court judges, is tipped to replace Abang Iskandar as Court of Appeal president.

Terrirudin, 57, was appointed in November.

Abang Iskandar, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 65 for judges on July 1, is expected to be granted a six-month extension to his tenure by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Under the law, the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) must submit a list of candidates for the highest position to the prime minister. In turn, the prime minister, in line with Article 122B of the Constitution, will provide advice to the king.

This article also stipulates that the king must act on the prime minister’s advice after consulting the Conference of Rulers.

However, the Constitution does not require the prime minister to consult the current chief justice when selecting her successor.

Upholding judicial independence

In January, Tengku Maimun said she is confident Anwar will continue to uphold judicial independence.

She made the remark after reflecting on how then-opposition leader Anwar, in 2009, raised an objection in the Dewan Rakyat over the JAC.

Tengku Maimun said Anwar had objected to the Parliamentary Bill (which has become law) because it was not enough to enhance judicial independence.

“Incidentally, 15 years ago, before the Judicial Appointment Commission Act 2009 was enforced, the then leader of the opposition made the comments that he did, as reflected in the Hansard, on the appointment of judges and judicial independence.

“I am certain that now, as prime minister, Anwar and his government will remain true to those comments by continuing to unreservedly remain committed to upholding the cause of judicial independence,” she said in a speech during the Opening of Legal Year 2025 at Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

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