Dr M: Approval for new chief justice expected this week

PUTRAJAYA: Approval for the appointment of the new chief justice is expected by this week, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“We are still waiting for the Conference of Rulers (to approve the appointment). I think it should come by the end of this week,” he said after a get-together session with government officers.

It was reported that Yang diPertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah had been informed about the appointment of the new chief justice and that the Conference of Rulers would be informed as well.

The post fell vacant following Tan Sri Richard Malanjum’s retirement on April 12 after serving 27 years in the judiciary.

Malanjum, the first Sabahan to hold the judiciary’s top post, had served as chief justice for nine months. Prior to that, he served 12 years as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak.

On another issue, Dr Mahathir said Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Mazlan Bujang should have received his appointment letter as the party’s Johor liaison committee chairman by now.

Dr Mahathir, who is Bersatu chairman, said Mazlan would succeed Datuk Osman Sapian, who recently resigned as Johor menteri besar.

“I think he (Mazlan) has been given a letter already.”

Asked if the appointment letter had been sent to Mazlan, he replied: “Yes.”

Mazlan’s appointment as the party’s Johor liaison chief is a departure from convention. Typically, a menteri besar or chief minister helms his party’s state chapter.

New Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal is currently Johor Bersatu secretary, which is an appointed post. He does not hold an elected position in his own party branch or division.

Mazlan, who is Puteri Wangsa assemblyman, is seen as someone capable of bringing Johor forward for Bersatu as he had proven himself as a leader with strong grassroots support and loyalty to the party.

The 54-year-old politician has a proven track record as former Johor Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee chairman.