KUALA LUMPUR: Court of Appeal President Datuk Abu Bakar Jais has been appointed to assume the duties and functions of the Chief Judge of Malaya until the position is permanently filled.
According to a letter by Chief Justice Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh which was obtained by the media on Monday (Nov 17), the appointment will commence on Nov 15.
It said the appointment was made in accordance with Section 9(3)(a) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964.
The letter, dated Nov 14, was issued by the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court, Putrajaya.
Abu Bakar took the oath of office and allegiance as President of the Court of Appeal on July 28, replacing Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, who retired on July 3.
Abu Bakar's appointment follows Tan Sri Hasnah Hashim's retirement last Friday after 42 years in the judiciary.
Hasnah had reached the mandatory retirement age for judges in Malaysia when she turned 66 on May 15 this year, but her tenure was extended by six months – which is allowed under the Federal Constitution – until Nov 15.
She is the third female Chief Judge of Malaya. The other two are Tan Sri Norma Yaakob and Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim. – Bernama
