Malanjum’s appointment as Chief Justice of Malaysia hailed

KOTA KINABALU: The appointment of the Richard Malanjum as Chief Justice of Malaysia - the first Sabahan appointed to the position - has been hailed as a milestone and a step further of honouring the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Parti Upko president Datuk Seri Madius Tangau said Malanjum’s appointment reflected that Sabah and Sarawak were equal partners in the federation.

He said Sabah was beginning to see the MA being honoured with the new Government, and expressed confidence in Malanjum’s ability to carry his new duties well.

Tangau, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, said Malanjum’s appointment was thoroughly deserved and many were extremely proud of him.

“He would be well served in his new position by his years of experience within the legal and judiciary fraternity,” he said.

He added that throughout Malanjum’s career, he has come to be recognised and respected for his commitment to upholding the rule of law, and protecting the integrity of the Constitution.

“On behalf of Upko and all Sabahans in general, I wish to congratulate Tan Sri Richard Malanjum on his appointment as the new Chief Justice of Malaysia,” Tangau said.

Sabah PKR chairman Christina Liew, who is also Deputy Chief Minister, congratulated Malanjum of his appointment, saying that he was qualified in so many aspects to take up the job.

She said apart from being resourceful in his approach in the handling of cases, Malanjum had initiated programmes such as the mobile court to help locals with cases and in obtaining identification documents, as they lived far from towns and had difficulty travelling.

The Sabah Law Society (SLS) said it look forward to working with the newly appointed Chief Justice of the Federal Court and promised to extend its fullest support and cooperation to Malanjum.

Its president Brenndon Keith Soh said Malanjum’s appointment was a timely recognition of the sterling calibre that he possesses as a judge.

“It is also testament to the breadth and depth of his judicial experience,” he said.