Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of law Takiyuddin Hassan said that Suriyadi’s appointment is for a two-year period from Dec 1.

“The appointment was the result of our consultation with the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization as the centre is an independent international organisation under this body,” he said in a statement.

Takiyuddin added the cabinet consented to Suriyadi’s appointment last Friday. Suriyadi replaces lawyer Vinayak Pradhan, who passed away in March.

The Malaysian Bar had previously expressed concern over the delay in appointing Vinayak’s successor.

Bar president Salim Bashir said the position was absolutely imperative in retaining and enhancing the trust placed in the AIAC by the domestic and international community.

He said in the absence of a director, various aspects of the arbitral processes were unable to take place which included the appointment of arbitrators, fixing of fees and review of arbitral awards.