KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Court judge Justice Mohd Zawawi Salleh is filling in for Justice Azahar Mohamed as the acting Chief Judge of Malaya (CJM) following the latter's hospitalisation.
A text message said to be from Justice Mohd Zawawi has been circulating on Monday (April 26), saying that the incumbent CJM had been admitted to Hospital Sungai Buloh.
According to the text, the hospitalisation was said to be "related to Covid-19".
The message also asked fellow judges to pray for Justice Azahar's health.
"It's true," a source said when asked about the authenticity of the text message.
Under Section 9(1B) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, the Chief Justice (CJ) is empowered to appoint a Federal Court judge to exercise the duties of the CJM in the event that the CJM is unable to exercise the powers or perform the duties of his office owing to illness or absence from Malaysia or any other cause.
According to news portal Free Malaysia Today, Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat made the appointment last week in accordance with the legal provision.
The position of CJM is the third in the judicial hierarchy after the CJ and the Court of Appeal president.
The Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak is the fourth in the hierarchy.
Justice Azahar was appointed as the CJM on Aug 8,2019, replacing Justice Zaharah Ibrahim, who retired.
The Chief Registrar's Office did not respond to requests for comment.
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