G25 welcomes the appointment by DYMM Yang di Pertuan Agong of YAA Dato’ Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat as Malaysia’s new Chief Justice to succeed YAA Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Richard Malanjum.
The historic appointment of YAA Dato’ Tengku Maimun marks the first time that a woman has been appointed to this august position in Malaysia. She is also the first woman Chief Justice or the Head of the Judiciary in the Muslim World.
G25 wishes to congratulate the Judicial Appointment Commission and the Government for this appointment. It sends a strong message that the appointing authorities support gender equality. It also sends an equally strong signal that integrity and professionalism will ultimately triumph over all else, especially patronage. This is a welcome return to the principle of meritocracy in appointments to public office. It will send a message far and wide that Malaysia is progressive in its attitude towards the administration of justice.
The appointment of YAA Dato’ Tengku Maimun has also been welcomed by her fellow judges and members of the Bar. Lawyers who have had the privilege of appearing before her speak highly of her competence as a judge and her absolute integrity.
We wish to convey our heartiest congratulations to YAA Dato’ Tengku Maimun on her appointment and we wish her all the very best in undertaking the challenging tasks ahead. We are confident that she will fulfil her oath of office with the fairness and integrity that she is known for and will take the Malaysian Judiciary to greater heights in the performance of its function of dispensing justice.
The judiciary serves as the defender of the constitution against abuse of power by the legislative and executive arms of the government. We G25 hope that the new Chief Justice will lead in upholding the freedoms and liberties of the people and defend the multicultural and diverse character of our country to ensure peace and prosperity for all Malaysians.