
In a letter dated March 1 and sighted by FMT, Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat said Abang Iskandar would perform the duties and functions of that office until the position is permanently filled.
A copy of the letter was also emailed to all judges and senior court officials yesterday.
Tengku Maimun made the appointment under Section 9(3)(a) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, which states that a Federal Court judge may exercise the duties of the CJM in the event of a vacancy.
As Court of Appeal president, Abang Iskandar is also a Federal Court judge.
Zabidin retired on Feb 29. He was first acting CJM in November 2022, and was appointed permanently to the position in January last year.
The appointment of a CJM to replace Zabidin was not on the agenda when the Conference of Rulers met two weeks ago.