PUTRAJAYA, May 3 (NNN-Bernama) — Federal Court judge Datuk Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat has been appointed as the Chief Justice, the first woman to take on the judiciary’s top post.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister and after consulting the Conference of Rulers agreed to her appointment as the Chief Justice effective today.
According to PMO, the date for her swearing-in-ceremony and receipt of instruments of appointment before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will be announced at a later date.
She replaces Tan Sri Richard Malanjum who retired on April 12.
The Universiti Malaya graduate, who will turn 60 in July, began her career as a legal officer in the South Kelantan Development Board (KESEDAR) in 1982.
In 1984, she became legal officer in the Seremban Municipal Council for two years before joining the Attorney-General’s Chambers in the Drafting Division.
Born in Kota Bahru, Kelantan, Tengku Maimun also held several posts including magistrate, Sessions Court judge, federal counsel and senior assistant registrar as well as special officer to former Chief Justices Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah and Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.
She was the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court in 2005.
She was appointed as judicial commissioner in 2006 and confirmed as High Court judge the following year.
She was elevated to Court of Appeal judge in 2013 and subsequently appointed as Federal Court judge in November last year.
NNN-BERNAMA