PUTRAJAYA: The resignations of the Chief Justice, Tun Md Raus Sharif and Court of Appeal president, Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin is effective July 31.
The Federal Court Chief Registrar’s Office, in a statement, said the resignations have obtained the consent of the
Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, last Friday and was relayed via Istana Negara’s private secretary for royal affairs on Monday.
“On May 15, the Chief Justice and president of the Court of Appeals had met with the Prime Minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) and voiced their wish to resign.
“However, they (Md Raus and Zulkefli) informed the Prime Minister that their resignations would come into effect on a suitable date to enable all judicial matters to be finalised.
“In line with the consideration, the Chief Justice and Court of Appeals president have submitted their resignation letters to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on June 7, and the resignation is effective July 31, 2018,” read the statement.
Prior to this, the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) had summoned the two senior judges. The act led to CEP chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin being criticised for summoning the two, and for demanding their resignations.
One such critic, Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament Ramkarpal Singh said the move would be seen as being in complete disregard of the principle of separation of powers.
“It is a basic hallmark of any democracy that the executive does not interfere in the affairs of the judiciary,” he had said.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, however, had defended the CEP’s action in summoning the two top judges.
Dr Mahathir said the CEP has the right to speak to anyone.
“They have the right to talk to a lot of people who are today innocent because they haven’t been charged. But they can give information that will lead to our taking action against a lot of people,” he was quoted as saying.