KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 29, 2025 — With only days remaining before the mandatory retirement of Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, the government faces mounting pressure to confirm whether her tenure, along with those of Court of Appeal President Abang Iskandar bin Abang Hashim and senior Federal Court Judge Nallini Pathmanathan, will be extended by six months.
In a statement today, Bukit Gelugor MP and DAP National Legal Bureau Chairman Ramkarpal Singh emphasized the public interest in clarifying the status of these judicial appointments, noting the imminent retirements of several Federal Court judges.
“There seems to be no compelling reason not to extend their tenures,” Ramkarpal said, highlighting the government’s stated commitment to institutional reform. He argued that extending the tenures of these judges aligns with this agenda, particularly given the vacancies expected in the Federal Court.
The Federal Constitution allows for such extensions to facilitate the administration of justice, a provision Ramkarpal said is critical now to ensure a smooth transition as new Federal Court judges are appointed.
The call for clarity is amplified by the fact that the three judges in question hold senior positions, with Tengku Maimun and Abang Iskandar being the top two in the judicial hierarchy. “The government must explain why their tenures are not being extended if that is the case,” Ramkarpal urged.
He praised the judges for their exemplary service, stating they have “preserved, protected, and defended the Federal Constitution” in line with their oaths. Extending their tenures, he added, would bolster public confidence in the government’s reform efforts.
Ramkarpal called on the government to act swiftly, warning that failure to extend the tenures could undermine the stability of the judiciary during a period of significant transition.