KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 29): Judges from the High Court, Court of Appeal, and the Federal Court — including the nation's four top judicial officers — are set to receive a 30% salary increase from Jan 1, 2026. This marks the first pay revision for the judiciary in over a decade, with the last adjustment having taken place in July 2015.

The pay hike was formalised in a government gazette dated Dec 18. This follows an earlier announcement of the pay increase by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the tabling of Budget 2026, following amendments to Section 19 of the Judges’ Remuneration Act 1971.

"Since 2015, the judges have not enjoyed annual salary increments as provided in other schemes. Moreover, judges are prohibited from holding positions or engaging in business activities. Recognising this, and acknowledging that the judiciary — once perceived as tarnished — has since made commendable strides towards greater integrity, independence and authority, the government has agreed to increase judges’ salaries by up to 30%, effective Jan 1, 2026," Anwar had said during the announcement.

The adjustments were made after assent was granted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, following consultations with the Chief Justice.

With the salary adjustments, the Chief Justice's monthly salary will be raised from RM36,000 to RM46,800, while the President of the Court of Appeal's pay will increase from RM31,500 to RM40,950. The monthly salaries of the Chief Judge of Malaya and the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak will be standardised to RM39,650 (rising from RM30,500 and RM30,000 respectively).

See the table below for the new gazetted scale: