Court of Appeal President Datuk Abu Bakar Jais has been appointed to act as Chief Judge of Malaya, succeeding Tan Sri Hasnah Mohd Hashim, who was mandatorily retired last Friday (15 November).
According to a report by Utusan Malaysia, as stated in a document issued by Federal Court Chief Justice Tan Sri Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, the appointment takes effect from last Friday and will continue until the vacancy is officially filled.
This appointment is based on Section 9(3)(a) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, which stipulates that when the position of President or Chief Judge becomes vacant, its powers must be exercised by a Federal Court judge.
Abu Bakar was sworn in as Court of Appeal President on 28 July this year, succeeding Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, who retired on 3 July.
Abu Bakar joined the legal profession as Deputy Public Prosecutor in 1987 and was then appointed as a Magistrate in 1990. He continued to climb the judicial ranks, being appointed as Court of Appeal Judge on 5 December 2019 and subsequently promoted to Federal Court Judge on 13 June 2023.
Hasnah was appointed as Chief Judge of Malaya—the third highest judicial position in the country—on 12 November 2022, becoming the third woman in Malaysia’s history to hold the role.
The previous two female Chief Judges of Malaya were Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob (2005) and Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim (2018).
Hasnah also set several records during her judicial career, being the first female Assistant Legal Advisor in Selangor. This July, she also made history by simultaneously serving as Acting Chief Justice, Court of Appeal President, and Chief Judge of Malaya—the top three judicial positions nationwide.