Legal Fraternity Backs Landmark Judicial Pay Rise For Stronger Bench

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A landmark 30 percent salary increase for judges, gazetted to take effect on Jan 1, 2026, has been widely endorsed by the legal fraternity as an important step to strengthen judicial independence and attract top talent to the bench.
The move, which fulfils a pledge made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Budget 2026, will apply to all judges from the High Court to the Federal Court.
Legal professionals emphasised that the increase, the first since July 2015, is urgently needed to align judicial compensation with the soaring cost of living and the critical constitutional role of the judiciary.
Former Court of Appeal judge Hishamudin Yunus described the adjustment as both "timely and appropriate".
“To discharge their role with excellence and dignity, judges must be well-remunerated and spared from financial distraction. Competitive compensation is also essential to attract leading legal minds of integrity to the bench, whether from the judicial and legal service or private practice,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said the raise would help recruit and retain high-calibre candidates, thereby bolstering public confidence in the justice system.
Ezri Abdul WahabHowever, he urged further reform.
“While this adjustment is positive, judicial pay must ultimately be set by a transparent and independent mechanism.
“We reiterate our call for an independent Judges’ Remuneration Commission to ensure regular, principled reviews free from executive influence, in line with constitutional values and international best practices,” he said.
Insulation from economic pressures
The pay rise is also seen as a concrete measure to insulate the judiciary from economic pressures and affirm its stature as a pillar of democracy.
Practising lawyer Razman Sahat, who highlighted the intense pressures of the role, welcomed the adjustment.  
“Considering the heavy workload judges shoulder, this increase will directly support the quality and integrity of the judiciary.
“Judges in Malaysia are not only experts in law but also possess deep experiential wisdom regarding its complexities and court procedures. This increase is fully commensurate with the heavy workload they bear,” he added.
He further emphasised a critical, often unspoken benefit: that adequate salaries serve as a vital safeguard, directly reducing the risk of corruption and conflicts of interest by insulating judges from external financial pressures.
Razman advocates for this benefit to be made permanent, suggesting that the salary adjustment should be periodically reviewed by the government in line with changing times, to keep pace with the relentless rise in the cost of living.
ADSThis perspective is strongly echoed in academia. Assoc Prof Khairil Azmin Mokhtar, a constitutional law expert at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), describes the policy as a positive step that acknowledges the demanding role and duties of a judge.
“Judges hold a high office; they are not like ordinary individuals, as there are strict boundaries on their conduct. Therefore, this increase is crucial to help them manage living costs amidst today’s economic pressures,” he explained.
For retention and recruitment
The sentiment that this is a necessary step for both retention and recruitment is widely shared. Lawyer and former magistrate Nur A’minahtul Mardiah Nor notes that soaring living costs make the raise a reasonable step.
She also sees a wider strategic benefit, saying it could draw top-tier legal talent to the bench and improve judicial retention.
She reminds us of the significant weight carried by the bench, even at its entry levels, that embodies the integrity and authority of the nation.
Together, these voices frame the pay rise as more than a line in the budget. It is portrayed as a multifaceted tool: a bulwark against impropriety, a necessary support for a uniquely constrained profession, and a clear signal that Malaysia values and seeks to fortify one of the fundamental pillars of its democracy - a robust, independent, and respected judiciary.
- Bernama

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