KUALA LUMPUR: Two former top judges - including a former Chief Judge of Malaya (CJM), have "switched sides" - as they are now lawyers.
In this special occasion, former CJM Tan Sri Azahar Mohamed (pic) and former Federal Court judge Datuk Seri Mohd Zawawi Salleh were both admitted and enrolled as an advocate and solicitor by High Court judge (Special Powers) Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh in the same ceremony here on Thursday (Nov 3).
The novelty of the situation did not escape Justice Wan Ahmad Farid, who noted that the two were larger-than-life figures in the judiciary and were his seniors and mentors.
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The judge said he would usually impart words of wisdom to the younger ones who were called to the bar, but found it difficult to do so on this occasion.
"How do I give words of wisdom and advice to Azahar and Mohd Zawawi, who are far wiser and more experienced than I am?
"I came to the inevitable conclusion that you don't. You acknowledged them," he said.
Justice Wan Ahmad Farid, who was reading his speech, said if Azahar and Mohd Zawawi were cars, they would be "vintage cars" that one would not race against but rather appreciate with awe.
He said although Azahar and Mohd Zawawi would be lawyers seated down before a judge, he would look up to them.
"They have delivered impeccable and landmark judgments that will withstand the test of time and will be referred to for many, many years.
"Their retirement is a significant loss to the judiciary, leaving a vacuum that is difficult to replace and a pair of big shoes that are hard to fill," Justice Wan Ahmad Farid added.
Azahar retired just last week on Oct 26, while Mohd Zawawi retired in June.
Justice Wan Ahmad Farid said their retirement would now be the Malaysian Bar's gain.
"And we envy the Bar for that. What they have given to the judiciary can now be imparted to the Bar.
"They were the jewels of the judiciary. The Bar now gets to adorn them on its crown," he said.
During the ceremony, Azahar's lawyer son Azmi acted as his proposer and donned his robe as a symbol that Azahar has now become an advocate and solicitor.
Meanwhile, lawyer Salim Bashir proposed the petition for Mohd Zawawi to be called to the bar and lawyer Datuk Salehuddin Saidin donned the robe for Mohd Zawawi.
Malaysian Bar president Karen Cheah and Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun both said they have no objection to the former judges' admission and sang their praises.
In 2020, Azahar and Mohd Zawawi were also among the panel who dismissed a review application by a former member of the police Special Action Unit (UTK) Azilah Hadri to set aside his conviction and death sentence for the murder of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu.
On April 26, last year, Mohd Zawawi Salleh filled in for Justice Azahar Mohamed as the acting CJM, following the latter's hospitalisation at Hospital Sungai Buloh for Covid-19.
Prior to their retirement this year, they most recently sat together on the Federal Court panel that dismissed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's application to adduce fresh evidence in his final appeal in the RM42mil SRC International Sdn Bhd case.
