She said that throughout her tenure as the top judge, judicial panels had worked to deliver “what we firmly believed to be correct decisions on the law and facts” despite the heated political overtones and undertones that clothed some of the cases.
“This alone should dispel any baseless notion that I have ever been partial to any particular prime minister or any political party,” she said in her speech when officiating the opening of the legal year here.
Appointed in May 2019, Tengku Maimun, the first woman to rise to the judiciary’s top post, has seen Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin, Ismail Sabri Yaakob and presently, Anwar Ibrahim, take on the mantle of prime minister.
She said she served at a unique time in history as each of the four prime ministers had different political affiliations.
Tengku Maimun is scheduled to retire in July upon reaching the age of 66 but could remain in office for an additional six months if the king chooses to invoke his constitutional power to extend her tenure.
“As I leave, I hope that the appointment of the next chief justice is fully compliant with all aspects of the law, bearing in mind the need to keep the judiciary independent in view of the unfortunate and blemishing events of history,” she said.
She said that during her tenure, the law had developed in a positive manner with fundamental rights and liberties interpreted and enforced to their maximum potential.
“The role of an independent judiciary has been restored and the public is confident in us,” she added.
Seven other Federal Court judges will also leave office in rapid succession during the course of this year.
“Let us retire gracefully and happily, knowing full well that we left the institution far better than we found it.
“We should gladly sit from afar and beam proudly at its growth rather than view it with concern that the judicial institution will turn into nothing but a mere shell of its former glory,” she added.
Thanking her colleagues, judicial officers, and support staff of the past and present, she said the judiciary’s success as an institution would have remained “a mere wishful thought” without their dedication and support.
Tengku Maimun also thanked the past and present members of both the executive and legislative branches of government for working with the judiciary to realise all policies, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said she would leave her office with no regrets.