Malanjum said reports on his imminent appointment were mere speculation at the moment.
“It is just a fairy tale,” said the 65-year-old Federal Court judge after paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg at the Sarawak state assembly complex.
He declined to comment when asked whether it was true his name had been proposed to the Conference of Rulers, which is meeting for two days from today.
According to sources, Malanjum, who was made a Federal Court judge in 2006, was the obvious frontrunner as he had been bypassed for promotions since 2011.
If he is appointed, history would be created as he will be the first East Malaysian to occupy the post as head of the judiciary.
Malanjum’s tenure, however, will be very short as he will reach the mandatory retirement age of 66 on Oct 12 and can remain in office until April if the Yang di-Pertuan Agong gives him a six-month extension.
The resignation of Raus, who was controversially reappointed to the post last year after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 66 years and six months, will only take effect at the end of this month.
When Raus was reappointed, leaders from both Sabah and Sarawak had cried foul when the then BN-led government overlooked Malanjum for the post.
Local opposition parties, such as Gabungan Sabah, had warned former prime minister Najib Razak that the decision would cost the government dearly come election time.
Pakatan Harapan also submitted a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong seeking his intervention to stop the “unconstitutional” re-appointments of Raus and Zulkefli.
The extensions were also challenged in court by The Malaysian Bar, Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Amanah.