PM: Govt looking to extend services of CJ, senior judges

Summary

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the government is considering extending the tenure of Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Court of Appeal President Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, and Federal Court Judge P Nallini.

• The National Human Rights Society (Hakam) had earlier today raised concerns about delays in processing judicial extensions for these senior judges.

The government is mulling to extend the tenure of three top judges, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said, referring to Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, and Federal Court judge P Nallini.

Earlier, the National Human Rights Society (Hakam) expressed concern over the delay in granting judicial extensions to the top judges.

Hakam president M Ramachelvam questioned why the trio have yet to receive their service extension offers despite their impending retirement, and that extensions were customarily granted to their predecessors.

“We’re looking at it,” Free Malaysia Today quoted Anwar saying in a short reply, when questioned on the matter after an event in Putrajaya.

Tengku Maimun and Abang Iskandar will turn 66 in July, while Nallini will reach that age in August.

Raising retirement age not discussed in cabinet

Anwar reportedly said that a proposal by Azalina Othman Said to increase the mandatory retirement age to 65 has also not been brought up for discussion in the cabinet.

“It has not been brought to the cabinet. Let them study its implications first in terms of the cost involved and the population. There are many implications.

“It is a good proposal that deserves attention and consideration,” he was quoted as saying.

Yesterday, Azalina, who is minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (law and institutional reform), suggested that the government consider raising the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65.

She opined that it was a loss to make people retire at 60 when many senior citizens remain healthy, active, and capable of contributing to the workforce, Bernama reported.

Why no judicial extensions for CJ, top judges, rights group asks

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