Malaysia's first female Chief Justice unfazed by new post

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's first female Chief Justice appears to be unfazed by her new title and post.

Datuk Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat (pic) said she did not feel the pressure of holding the judiciary’s top post after assuming the position officially on Monday morning (April 6).

“Honestly, I don't feel the pressure just because I’m a woman. Gender is not a factor at all.

"It (pressure) is due to the position, as it carries a huge responsibility. Whether you are a woman or man, it is the same to me.

"You must carry out the responsibility as best as you can,” she said at a press conference at her office in the Palace of Justice here.

When asked if she had a message for young lawyers in the field, Tengku Maimun said her message to the young ones would be to work hard.

“Be honest and work hard,” she said.

This was Tengku Maimun’s first official press conference as the new Chief Justice, taking over from former Chief Justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum who retired on April 12.

Earlier on Monday morning, she took her oath of office before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara.

Tengku Maimun, who is considered junior compared to her fellow judges, dismissed speculations that there was "uneasiness" among the judges due to her "bypassing" more senior colleagues.

“This is not a job that I applied for. This is rezeki (good fortune) from Allah,” she said.

Tengku Maimun said she believed even though she was relatively junior, the seniors that she bypassed were not upset over the matter.

“As a Muslim, (I think) this is Allah’s will. If it is meant for us, it will be for us,” she added.