Richard Malanjum is new chief justice

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Richard Malanjum ( pix) was sworn in as the new Chief Justice of Malaysia, effective yesterday.

Malanjum, 65, received his letter of appointment from the Yang diPertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V in a ceremony at the Bilik Singgahsana Kecil (Small Throne Room), Istana Negara, last night.

Also present were Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew View Keong, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa and Federal Court Chief Registrar Datuk Seri Latifah Mohd Tahar.

Malanjum replaces Tun Md Raus Sharif, who will resign as the chief justice with effect from July 31.

Born in October 1952 in Tuaran, Sabah, Malanjum had his early education there before completing his secondary education in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Malanjum is the first native of Sabah to have been appointed High Court judge, Court of Appeal judge and the Federal Court judge. In 2006, for the first time since the formation of Malaysia, he became the first Sabahan appointed as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Sultan Muhammad V presented letters of appointment to new Court of Appeal president, Tan Sri Ahmad Maarop and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Datuk David Wong Dak Wah.

Ahmad and Wong replaces Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin and Malanjum, respectively. – Bernama