This follows a vacancy that arose last week upon the retirement of Rohana Yusuf, the first woman to hold the office.

In a letter issued on Tuesday to all judges and senior court officials, Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said Abang Iskandar will perform the duties and functions of that office until the position is permanently filled.

Tengku Maimun made the appointment in accordance with Section 9(3) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 which states that a Federal Court judge may exercise the duties of the CoA president in the event of a vacancy.

A CoA judge, when contacted, confirmed the contents of the letter.

A native of Sarawak, Abang Iskandar, 63, was made the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, the fourth highest judicial office, on Feb 20, 2020.

He was appointed judicial commissioner on March 1, 2007 and confirmed as High Court judge on Oct 14, 2009.

On Sept 30, 2013, he was elevated to post of CoA judge. He was subsequently made a Federal Court judge on Nov 26, 2018.