CJ claims to be amnesiac humorously over successor
PUTRAJAYA: Chief Justice Richard Malanjum who would be retiring soon humorously claimed to be amnesiac when he was questioned by the press on his possible successor.
“I can’t remember. No seriously, I can’t remember. Got a bit of amnesia,” he told reporters.
He then laughed, winked and bid goodbye to reporters.
Yesterday he declined to comment on either his impending retirement or his replacement, reiterating that the matter was the King’s prerogative.
Asked if the government is under pressure to appoint a Malay-Muslim as the next chief justice given the current political climate, Malanjum said such judicial appointments are by the country’s ruler.
He also declined to comment when asked if his tenure would be extended or if a successor has been identified.
Malanjum who turned 66, which is the retirement age for judges, on October 13 last year, is currently serving a six-month extension allowed under the Federal Constitution until early next month.
He also dismissed the notion that the retirement of the four top judges would affect the judiciary as there are “more than enough” judges in the superior courts and that new judges are being appointed.
The Judicial Appointments Commission’s website listed a total of 121 judges — including judicial commissioners — at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court, with 32 vacancies for judges as of March 1.
