KUALA LUMPUR: For the second time in Malaysia’s history, women now sit at the summit of the nation’s judiciary – steering the courts with quiet authority and historic weight.
What is even more inspiring is that the top two positions of the judiciary are repeatedly being held by women judges.
Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim and Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof, both trailblazers in their own right, have assumed the judiciary’s top two roles, Chief Justice and Court of Appeal President, respectively – albeit in an acting capacity – rekindling a powerful precedent set in 2019 when women first held both posts.
Last week, Hasnah who is also Chief Judge of Malaya, assumed the powers and responsibilities of the Chief Justice following the retirement of Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat on July 2.
As the acting top judge, Hasnah has appointed Zabariah, currently a Federal Court judge, to assume the role of Court of Appeal president which was left vacant following the retirement of Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim on July 3.
History was first made in 2018 when Tengku Maimun was named Chief Justice.
Her appointment as the 16th chief justice made waves as she was the first woman to helm the judiciary. When she retired last week, she was the second-longest serving chief justice, having served six years in that position.
The Malaysian Bar has voiced concerns, about the “dangerous vacuum’’ left behind by Tengku Maimun’s retirement.
The historic moment of two women holding the two top posts was first created in May 2019, when Federal Court judge Datuk Rohana Yusuf was elevated as Court of Appeal president.
Meanwhile, Hasnah is no stranger to charting her own course.
The iron lady, who has a diverse and varied career path, hit the mandatory retirement age in May. She was given a six-month extension, which lasts until November.
Hasnah was appointed as the 14th Chief Judge of Malaya on Nov 12 last year, making her the third woman to hold the position, after Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob and Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim.
As for Zabariah, she turned 66 in April, which is the mandatory retirement age, but was given a six-month extension as well.
In March, Zabariah was appointed as a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission.
