KUALA LUMPUR (June 30): Former economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has on Monday raised concerns over the impending retirement of several of Malaysia’s most senior judges, warning that a lack of timely succession planning could affect the independence, continuity and functionality of the Federal Court.
Rafizi said in a statement that with seven apex court judges set to retire between July and November 2025, Malaysia will face an unprecedented situation where more than half of the Federal Court bench will be vacant. The situation, he said, could significantly slow down the administration of justice across all court levels.
“YAB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as prime minister, cannot dismiss the concern of legal practitioners by assuming this is merely a political attack,” Rafizi's statement read, while stressing that the issue of judicial continuity is both “reasonable” and “urgent”.
Among those due for mandatory retirement are Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat (July 1, 2025), Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim (July 2, 2025) and Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim (Nov 14, 2025).
Others include Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli (expected in July), and Federal Court judges Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan (Aug 22), Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof (Oct 10) and Datuk Hanipah Farikullah (Nov 22).
Current and former Malaysian bar presidents have called for the extension of Tengku Maimun, Abang Iskandar and and Nallini's tenures. Civil society group National Human Rights Society of Malaysia (Hakam) also supported the call, noting it was unusual that others at the apex court received the standard six-month extension, while these three have not.
Rafizi pointed out that four of the seven judges — Hasnah, Abdul Rahman, Zabariah and Hanipah — had previously received six-month service extensions, raising questions as to why similar considerations have not yet been extended to Tengku Maimun and Abang Iskandar.
“This is not about politics or politicising judicial appointments, which have their own processes," he said. “It is a reasonable matter to consider given the current situation, where the vacancy of more than half of the Federal Court judges will slow down the progress of court cases.”
Rafizi warned that if left unaddressed, the situation could significantly delay case proceedings, undermine institutional stability and raise perceptions of executive interference, particularly if non-seniority-based appointments are made to fill the resulting vacuum.
He added that with more than half of the senior judges in the Federal Court set to retire, questions arise whether new direct appointments are part of a plan to bypass the existing seniority list and reshape the leadership of the judiciary for the next eight years, especially since the appointee would only reach mandatory retirement in 2033.
Rafizi said the issue worsens when there is perceived "double standards" in other appointments. When Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki’s term is extended three times in a row, but Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay is not appointed as the new IGP, it naturally fuels more speculation and rumours.
Azam's term as MACC chief was extended for a third time by one year, starting May 13.