Dr Yii hails Malanjum’s appointment as Chief Justice

KUCHING: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has congratulated Tan Sri Richard Malanjum on his appointment as the new Chief Justice of Malaysia.

In a press statement yesterday, Dr Yii said Malanjum has definitely created history as the first Malaysian from Sabah/ Sarawak to head the Malaysian judiciary in half a century.

“As expressed before, we are confident that Malanjum will indeed carry out the duties of his office without fear or favour and will uphold the principles of justice unconditionally. There is no question about his capability to head the Malaysian judiciary,” he added.

Dr Yii also commented that since before the election, Pakatan Harapan Sarawak has been pushing for his appointment based on his merits and also experience as the most senior Federal Court judge, even more senior than the present Chief Justice Md Raus Sharif ‘ who is supposed to be retired on Aug 3 last year but for the unconstitutional extension of his tenure for another three years on the advice of then Prime Minister Najib Razak’.

Malanjum’s appointment signals a recognition of not only his merits, sound and reasoned judgments, but as well as his efforts and vision to bring about much-needed reform to the judiciary, he added.

“On top of that, it is also a recognition of our rightful standing within the Federation, something that wasn’t afforded under the previous Barisan Nasional administration. Now that there are different and growing constitutional arguments regarding our rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the appointment of Malanjum, a Chief Justice from the Borneo states, could be a positive step forward for Sarawak and Sabah especially in taking our rightful place in Malaysia and promote greater national integration based on what was agreed upon,” said Dr Yii.