KUCHING: Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim has been appointed acting Chief Judge of Malaya (CJM).
According to an FMT report, Abang Iskandar who hails from Sibu was appointed following the vacancy left by the retirement of Tan Sri Datuk Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah last week.
In a letter dated March 1 and sighted by FMT, Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said Abang Iskandar would perform the duties and functions of that office until the position is permanently filled.
“A copy of the letter was also emailed to all judges and senior court officials,” the report said recently.
FMT added that in the letter, Tengku Maimun said the appointment was made under Section 9(3)(a) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, which states that a Federal Court judge may exercise the duties of the CJM in the event of a vacancy.
As Court of Appeal president, Abang Iskandar is also a Federal Court judge.
Zabidin retired on Feb 29. He was appointed CJM in January last year.