KUALA LUMPUR: Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim has been appointed acting Court of Appeal president.
Chief Justice Tengku Tun Maimun Tuan Mat made the announcement in a letter issued to all judges and senior court officials two days ago.
The appointment was made in accordance with Section 9(3) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. Under that particular sub-section, A Federal Court judge may be appointed to perform the duties and functions of the CoA president until the position is permanently filled.
The position fell vacant after Tan Sri Rohana Yusof retired from the position last week. Rohana had been the first woman to hold the position in Malaysia's history.
Abang Iskandar began his career in the judiciary in 1983 when he was appointed a magistrate in Miri. Though he crossed over to the Sarawak Legal Aid Bureau in 1989, he returned to the judiciary the following year when he was appointed a Sessions Court judge in Kuala Lumpur.
Between 1992 and 1994, he would serve in various positions in government departments and agencies before joining the Attorney-General's Chambers until 2000. Over the following years, he would serve in various positions, including with the Securities Commission and another stint with the A-G's Chambers.
Abang Iskandar returned to the judiciary again as a judicial commissioner in 2007, serving in the Shah Alam and Kuala Lumpur High Courts, and was confirmed as a High Court judge two years later.
He was elevated to the CoA in 2013, before being elevated yet again to the Federal Court in 2018.
Abang Iskandar has held the position of Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, the fourth highest judical officer, since Feb 20, 2020.