In a letter dated Nov 14, Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh said Abu Bakar would perform the duties and functions of the office until the position is permanently filled.

Wan Ahmad Farid made the appointment in accordance with 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.

Abu Bakar, 63, is a Federal Court judge and the Court of Appeal president, the second-highest administrative position in the judicial hierarchy.

He started his career in the Attorney-General’s Chambers before going into private practice. He was appointed a judicial commissioner in 2013 and elevated as High Court judge three years later.

He was promoted to the Court of Appeal in December 2019 and to the Federal Court in June 2023.

Hasnah, who briefly served as acting chief justice from July 3 to Aug 27, held the CJM post for a year.

Sources said a Court of Appeal judge was widely tipped to be appointed as the next CJM.