JUST hours after dismissing rumours of his nomination for the post as a “fairy tale”, Richard Malanjum is sworn in as the new chief justice.

Malanjum, 65, replaces Md Raus Sharif, whose resignation becomes effective July 31.

Malanjum received the letter of appointment from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V in a ceremony in Istana Negara this evening.

The Malaysian insight was informed by sources earlier today that the chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak had been nominated for the post of chief justice and that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had submitted his name to the Conference of Rulers today.

Malanjum denied that he had been nominated, however. “No, no, no, itu cerita dongeng (that’s a fairy tale).” 

Meanwhile, Chief Judge of the High Court of Malaya Ahmad Maarop took his oath as the Court of Appeal president and Federal Court judge David Wong Dak Wah was sworn in to replace Malanjum as the chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak. 

Zaharah Ibrahim, who will replace Ahmad as the chief judge of Malaya, will be sworn in at a later date because she is out of the country, said a source.

Also present were Dr Mahathir, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, chief secretary to the government Ali Hamsa and Federal Court chief registrar Latifah Mohd Tahar. – July 11, 2018.