A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today also said Chief Judge of Malaya Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin has been appointed to the position of Court of Appeal president.

Raus and Zulkelfi are expected to serve the shortest terms in their respective new positions. This is because Raus is slated to retire on August 3 and Zulkefli on September 27.

Both are still serving on the bench after they each obtained a six-month extension on reaching the mandatory retirement age of 66 early this year.

The statement also said Federal Court Judge Ahmad Maarop, 63, has been made the Chief Judge of Malaya.

It added that all the appointments will be effective today.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V has consented to the appointments as per Clause (1) Article 122B of the Federal Constitution on the advice of the prime minister and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers.

“I also recorded the highest appreciation and thanks to Arifin for his services during his term as the chief justice,” said the statement, apparently quoting Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Sultan Muhammad has also consented to issue the appointment letters to the trio, who are all law graduates of Universiti Malaya, during a ceremony at Istana Negara on Monday.

Raus will then also take his oath of office before the king.

Zulkefli and Ahmad will take their oaths, respectively before the most senior Court of Appeal judge and High Court judge of Malaya at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya on Monday afternoon.

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