Malanjum a ‘strict judge but down-to-earth’

Work and play: Malanjum chatting with laywers at Kota Kinabalu in this file picture and signing (inset) his letter of appointment as Chief Justice in Kuala Lumpur.

KOTA KINABALU: A man who brings justice to the people is what Tan Sri Richard Malanjum is known for.

As Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak he introduced the mobile courts that got judges to head into the deep interiors to assist rural folk with matters ranging from obtaining the necessary documents to obtain identity cards to simple cases.

Described by legal circles as a simple, approachable and pragmatic person, Malanjum breaks the mould when it comes to public perception of judges.

“He is down to earth, he is strict to the letter of the law on the Bench but very different outside. There is no air with him,” said former Sabah Law Association president Datuk John Sikayun, who has worked closely with Malanjum.

Sikayun said that Malanjum speaks freely at seminars and discussions about various issues and was very approachable in his ways, something that strikes him as different from other judges.

“He has shown leadership. You can expect some fresh approaches as he is very innovative and futuristic in improving the Judiciary with Malanjum as the country’s top judge,” said Sikayun.

He said before courts in peninsula started on the e-filing system, Malanjum had already pushed it successfully in Sabah and Sarawak that proved to be useful to those in the legal system.

Malanjum signing his letter of appointment as Chief Justice in Kuala Lumpur.

“Malanjum worked hard to preserve and upgrade the role and status of the native court system in Sabah and Sarawak,” Sikayun said, adding the top judge also brought back the tradition of the annual Opening of Legal Year in Sabah and Sarawak.

Apart from measures to speed up the delivery of justice in Sabah and Sarawak, Malanjum has also involved the courts in environmental activities, including the clean-up of the Sembulan water village here.

Born in Tuaran, about 35km from the state capital, Malanjum started work with the Sabah Education Department and moved on to a few other government departments while pursuing a Bachelor in Law degree.

In 1975, he graduated from Universiti Teknologi MARA in Shah Alam, Selangor, as an external student at the University of London and obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). He then worked with the Sabah Attorney General office before pursuing his studies in London in 1976 to complete his Bar-at-Law.

He was admitted to the English Bar of the Honourable Society of Grays Inn in London. On returning, he served as deputy public prosecutor and senior legal counsel at the Sabah State Attorney General’s Chambers.

In 1991, Malanjum resigned and joined a legal firm in Kota Kinabalu and also became Sabah Law Association president. He was appointed as judicial commissioner in early 1992.