Major Judiciary Reveal Fizzles Questions Remain

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The much-anticipated announcement on top judicial appointments failed to materialise, leaving many guessing as to who would be the country's next Chief Justice. - NSTP file picKUALA LUMPUR: The much-anticipated announcement on top judicial appointments failed to materialise, leaving many guessing as to who would be the country's next Chief Justice.
Clarity over vacant positions at the highest level of the judiciary, following weeks of speculation, had been expected today.
Just a day earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hinted at an announcement in conjunction with the Conference of Rulers meeting in Istana Negara.
Today, the Malay rulers and their representatives, along with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, Sabah, Penang, and Melaka, convened.
Key issues, including national security and the judiciary, were discussed, but no announcement followed.
However, throughout the day speculation was rife about who would be appointed Chief Justice.
Several names were bandied about – minus former attorney-general Tan Sri Ahmad Terrirudin Mohd Salleh.
This was because it had been revealed by Pakatan Harapan MPs who met Anwar on Monday that Terrirudin's name was not on the list for any top posts.
It is understood that Court of Appeal judge Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh is the frontrunner for the Chief Justice's post.
Meanwhile, Datuk Abu Bakar Jais is being tipped to be the new Court of Appeal president, succeeding Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, who retired on July 2.
Datuk Azizah Nawawi, meanwhile, is said to succeed Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak.
Meanwhile, acting Chief Justice Datuk Seri Hasnah Hashim will continue to serve as Chief Judge of Malaya.
The appointments are expected to be announced tomorrow. - NST

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