Azmi, an associate professor of law at Universiti Malaya, described Malanjum’s critics as being “ignorant and racist”.

Speaking to FMT, he said his obversations showed that Malanjum’s judgements in cases pertaining to Islam had been in line with the Federal Constitution, but some Muslim judges “have no problems in making decisions which are against the constitution”.

Fears of a non-Muslim as Chief Justice were rooted in racism and ignorance, he said.

Azmi pointed out that the role of the Chief Justice was essentially to manage the courts, particularly the Federal Court. “A CJ doesn’t have powers to do things unilaterally or veto powers in making judgments. A CJ can only decide on cases brought before the court.”

The Federal Court, the country’s highest court and final appellate court, did not hear cases with only one judge presiding, he said. Judgments would be decided by a majority of those judges hearing the case, and the CJ’s vote would carry the same weight as any other judge on the bench.

Yesterday, PAS had questioned Malanjum’s appointment, saying that the party’s aspirations to strengthen shariah laws in the country had been undermined by the appointments of non-Muslims to several important posts related to the judiciary.

Besides Malanjum, the government has appointed Liew Vui Keong as minister in the Prime Minister’s Department responsible for legal affairs and Tommy Thomas as attorney-general.

PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan said Muslims in the country were concerned that their well-being would now be in jeopardy, particularly in relation to legal matters.

PAS: Shariah a distant dream as non-Muslims ‘take over’ judicial posts