Malaysian Bar welcomes the resignations of Raus, Zulkefli

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar is glad to note the resignation of Chief Justice (CJ) Tun Md Raus Sharif and president of the Court of Appeal ( PCA) Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin.

Malaysian Bar president George Varughese in a statement issued here yesterday said their resignation could be taken as a concession that their appointments as CJ and PCA were in breach of the Federal Constitution.

However, as Raus (the then-CJ) and Zulkefli (the then-PCA) were first appointed as additional judges of the Federal Court, and thereafter to continue as CJ and PCA, respectively, this begs the question whether they have also resigned as additional judges. The Malaysian Bar has at all times taken the position that the appointments – as additional judges, and to continue to hold the positions of CJ and PCA – were blatantly unconstitutional. George Varughese, Malaysian Bar president

“However, as Raus (the then- CJ) and Zulkefli (the then-PCA) were first appointed as additional judges of the Federal Court, and thereafter to continue as CJ and PCA, respectively, this begs the question whether they have also resigned as additional judges.

“The Malaysian Bar has at all times taken the position that the appointments – as additional judges, and to continue to hold the positions of CJ and PCA – were blatantly unconstitutional.

“It is for this reason that we had at the outset called upon Raus and Zulkefli to decline the appointments as additional judges, and to continue to hold the positions of CJ and PCA, and consequently filed a legal action seeking declarations that the said appointments are unconstitutional and void,” he added.

According to a statement released Wednesday by the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court, Raus and Zulkefli tendered their resignations to the Yang diPertuan Agong on June 7 with the resignation taking effect on July 31. — Bernama