THE Malaysian judiciary today created history with the simultaneous elevation of four women judges to the country’s appellate courts.

Chief Justice Md Raus Sharif said Court of Appeal judge Alizatul Khair Osman Khairuddin as Federal Court judge and High Court judges Suraya Othman, Yeoh Wee Siam, and Rhodzariah Bujang as Court of Appeal judges were elevated based on their performance and work culture.

“Certainly this ceremony today is another achievement which the learned judges, their families and friends should be proud of. Indeed the learned judges’ appointments today are historic for the judiciary where four women judges are simultaneously promoted to the highest courts.

“In other words, their elevation is based on merit. Congratulations to all women. I need to state here that the elevation of these four women judges is not to fill the quota of women at the Federal Court and Appeal Court, but because of their performance and work culture all this while,” said Raus to applause.

The chief justice said this after the swearing-in of Alizatul, 64, as a Federal Court judge, and High Court judges Suraya, 59,  Yeoh, 64, and Rhodzariah, 56,  as Appeals Court judges.

The appointments became effective on September 23.

In his speech, Raus said with the addition of Alizatul, the Federal Court now had 12 male judges and four female female judges.

Raus said women now outnumbered the men in the Court of Appeal, which now counted 15 women judges, compared with 14 men judges.

“This means that more than 50% of the Appeal Court judges are women.”

Raus said this showed that the judiciary was not gender biased and judges were elevated based on merit.

However, he reminded the judges that with the higher posts came heavier responsibilities and challenges.

“Let us together safeguard the independence of the judiciary. Independence of the judiciary and public trust in the judiciary can be raised when the judges possess a high-level of integrity, knowledge and expertise in their respective fields.

“Independence and integrity is the foundation of public confidence. The public must believe that no favour can influence judges in making their decisions.

Justice Alizatul, of Ipoh, Perak, started her legal career as federal counsel in the Attorney-General’s Chambers in 1976. She was appointed as Appeals Court judge on May 11, 2011.

Suraya of Johor Baru, Johor, began her career in May 1982 as a deputy public prosecutor in the AGC and has held various positions, including senior parliamentary draughtsman, and was a Sessions Court judge before being appointed a High Court judge on September 5, 2007.

Yeoh of Muar, Johor, was a magistrate in Johor Baru and served as senior federal counsel and Industrial Court chairman before she was  appointed a High Court judge on August 10, 2011.

Rhodzariah of Bintangor, Sarawak started as a magistrate in her home state and later served as registrar of the Sabah and Sarawak High Courts. She was made a High Court judge on August 10, 2011.

All four graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Universiti Malaya. – Bernama, September 25, 2017.