'Our curtain call': Legal fraternity bids farewell to retiring top judges

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), through its civil division, conveyed its gratitude as it bade farewell, alongside other lawyers, to retiring Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim and Federal Court judge Hanipah Farikullah, whose last day of service is today.

Senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan submitted the chamber’s appreciation to the judges after the conclusion of this morning’s proceedings concerning the 106.14ha Duta Enclave land, involving Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd and the Federal Land Registrar.

“Your ladyship's distinguished service, wisdom and unwavering commitment to the service of justice have really enriched the judiciary as well as the definition of our law.

“We extend our deepest gratitudes and best wishes for both Your Ladyship for continued good health and happiness for years,” Shamsul said.

Hasnah, in her response, said, “This is our final sitting and our final decision. Our curtain call”.

Final decision

Hasnah had chaired today’s panel with Hanipah (above, right) and Court of Appeal judge Che Ruzima Ghazali, dismissing the company’s application for leave to appeal the Court of Appeal’s June 25 decision ordering the government only to pay compensation for the property.

Shamsul was representing the government in today's proceedings, while lawyers Cyrus Das appeared for the company and Malik Imtiaz Sarwar held a watching brief for the Malaysian Bar.

Malik, on behalf of the Bar, recalled his experience appearing before Hasnah and Hanipah.

“I had the opportunity to appear before My Lady Hasnah in the Sessions Court in 1998 when your court was (located) next to the LRT track and you gave me a microphone.

“I remember (that) day I was before you and I said, ‘I felt like Janet Jackson, because of the microphones.

“(And) to Justice Hanipah, I only get to appear before you more in the Court of Appeal (so I wish) all the best to both of you,” he said, to which Hasnah thanked the parties before adjourning today’s proceedings.

Illustrious career

Previously, as acting chief justice, Hasnah was the subject of controversial speculation, including by Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, that she would be involved in the elevation of a Federal Court judge who was facing accusations of undermining the judiciary.

However, this did not come to pass, and then Federal Court judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh was instead appointed as chief justice.

Hasnah, 66, hailed from Kuantan, Pahang, graduated with an LLB (Hons) from the Universiti Malaya in 1983 and began her legal career as a legal officer at the AGC.

She was appointed as chief registrar of the Federal Court in 2009 and elevated to the bench as a judicial commissioner in May 2010.

She was then confirmed as a High Court judge and served in the Commercial Division in 2012, before being elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2016 and the Federal Court in December 2019.

She was appointed as the 14th Chief Judge of Malaya on Nov 12 last year, becoming the third woman to hold the position after Siti Norma Yaakob and Zaharah Ibrahim.

Among notable cases presided by the outgoing judge are dismissing the AG’s appeal against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s house arrest bid case on Aug 13.

Hanipah, 64, hailing from Besut, Terengganu, was appointed as a Court of Appeal judge on April 27, 2018.

She had previously presided over the Court of Appeal panel in dismissing the appeal of Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor, in 2023, concerning the appointment of the late Gopal Sri Ram as the lead prosecutor in the solar hybrid project corruption case, among other cases.

COMMENT | Six key questions for Anwar over judicial appointments

Latheefa presses PM after Nazri blames Malta speech for ex-CJ's exit

Interfaith council queries Anwar over non-extension of judges' tenure

Not extending CJ's term only deepens concerns for judiciary: Rafizi to PM

COMMENT | Is non-extension of CJ's tenure a bad omen?

Stung Zaid decries exit of CJ who stood against political pressure

Bersih lawyers join judicial appointments law challenge