Stung Zaid decries exit of CJ who stood against political pressure
Published: Jun 26, 2025 2:16 PM
Updated: 4:29 PM
Summary
- Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim asks if the PM prefers a more compliant chief justice.
- Zaid describes Tengku Maimin Tuan Mat as a “rare judge” who took great personal and professional risks.
Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retires on July 1, and Federal Court judge Nalini Pathmanathan, who is set to step down in August, have been steadfast bulwarks against creeping authoritarianism and political pressure, said former law minister Zaid Ibrahim.
Zaid said it “stings” that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim appears unwilling to grant even a modest extension to Tengku Maimun (above), given her exemplary defence of judicial independence.
“Is it far-fetched to suspect he finds greater comfort in appointing a more compliant chief justice, one less inclined to challenge executive overreach?
“That’s not just speculation. That’s a reading informed by decades of watching how power is exercised and manipulated in this country,” Zaid added.
PM Anwar Ibrahim
Hitting back at “Madani apologists” who dismissed the matter as just another civil servant retiring, Zaid stressed that Tengku Maimun must not be lumped in with the rest.
“Tengku Maimun isn’t just any civil servant. She’s one of the rare judges in this country who consistently upheld both the letter and spirit of the Federal Constitution, often at great personal and professional risk.
“Her principled stands in landmark cases - Indira Gandhi, Sisters in Islam, the Kelantan syariah enactments made her a target of the Islamists, but earned her respect from those who believe in constitutional supremacy and judicial integrity,” he added.
Blow to judiciary
Describing her exit as a blow to the judiciary, Zaid said he held the chief justice in high regard despite being critical in the past of how the appeal of former premier Najib Abdul Razak was rushed.
Referring once again to the “Madani apologists” and their insistence that there is no political interference in the judiciary, Zaid said: “Let me be blunt: there was, and there is.”
“You demand ‘proof’. But when judicial appointments and decisions are cloaked in secrecy, hidden behind the Official Secrets Act, how exactly do you expect direct evidence to surface?
“In such a climate, proof often comes in the form of patterns, circumstantial realities, and the observations of those who live and breathe the courtrooms every day; the lawyers,” he added.
Hitting back at “Madani apologists” who dismissed the matter as just another civil servant retiring, Zaid stressed that Tengku Maimun must not be lumped in with the rest.
“Tengku Maimun isn’t just any civil servant. She’s one of the rare judges in this country who consistently upheld both the letter and spirit of the Federal Constitution, often at great personal and professional risk.
“Her principled stands in landmark cases - Indira Gandhi, Sisters in Islam, the Kelantan syariah enactments made her a target of the Islamists, but earned her respect from those who believe in constitutional supremacy and judicial integrity,” he added.
Blow to judiciary
Describing her exit as a blow to the judiciary, Zaid said he held the chief justice in high regard despite being critical in the past of how the appeal of former premier Najib Abdul Razak was rushed.
Referring once again to the “Madani apologists” and their insistence that there is no political interference in the judiciary, Zaid said: “Let me be blunt: there was, and there is.”
“You demand ‘proof’. But when judicial appointments and decisions are cloaked in secrecy, hidden behind the Official Secrets Act, how exactly do you expect direct evidence to surface?
“In such a climate, proof often comes in the form of patterns, circumstantial realities, and the observations of those who live and breathe the courtrooms every day; the lawyers,” he added.
Ex-minister Zaid Ibrahim
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that former Malaysian Bar presidents warned the government risks losing public confidence if it fails to promptly extend the tenure of the top judges.
In addition to Tengku Maimun and Nalini, they also highlighted Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, who is scheduled to retire on July 2.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that former Malaysian Bar presidents warned the government risks losing public confidence if it fails to promptly extend the tenure of the top judges.
In addition to Tengku Maimun and Nalini, they also highlighted Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, who is scheduled to retire on July 2.
UMNO top echelons have been dead set against Maimun , who presided over the Federal Court proceedings that convicted Najib, refusing to give Najib Free passes.
ReplyDelete