KUALA LUMPUR – The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has urged all parties against speculating on the top judicial appointments to be made soon.
In a statement issued by the Selangor Royal Office, Sultan Sharafuddin said that the main items on the agenda for the 269th Conference of Rulers meeting included negotiating the appointment of the new chief justice, president of the Court of Appeal, chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as other superior court judges.
Sultan Sharafuddin also shared that he has stressed during the negotiation process the need to adhere to every provision in the Federal Constitution, especially Article 122B, which touches on the process and protocols of appointing superior court judges.
The sultan also supported the statement issued by Istana Negara last week – reiterating that the Federal Constitution provides for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to make appointments to these key roles in the judiciary on the advice of the prime minister and after consulting the rulers.
“The process outlined in the constitution must be executed carefully and transparently to preserve the supremacy of the law as well as uphold the principles of justice that have become a key core in national administration.
“Therefore, all parties are urged to abstain from making any speculations and negative accusations without getting the complete, legitimate facts on a matter,” said Sultan Sharafuddin in the statement.
Sultan Sharafuddin’s statement came following intense speculations that the Conference of Rulers is expected to unveil the name of the new chief justice today.
The position has been vacant since Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat retired on July 2 due to mandatory retirement. She was the first woman to hold this prestigious role.
Currently, the Chief Judge of Malaya, Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim, is serving as the acting chief justice. There is also attention on the appointment of the president of the Court of Appeal, as Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim reached the mandatory retirement age of 66 on July 3.
The judiciary has drawn significant attention, especially following allegations regarding the unauthorised sharing of documents believed to be minutes from a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting. This alleged leak is currently under police investigation.
Excerpts from the purported JAC meeting minutes, which are said to have occurred in May, reportedly originated from Reddit and subsequently went viral on Facebook and X.
The judiciary issue prompted the Malaysian Bar to hold a march in Putrajaya on Monday, raising concerns about prolonged judicial vacancies, the need for continuity within the judicial institution, and demanding a more transparent and accountable judicial appointment process. – July 17, 2025