Court of Appeal president Abu Bakar Jais has been appointed acting Chief Judge of Malaya (CJM) following the vacancy created by the retirement of Hasnah Hashim last week.
In a letter dated Nov 14, Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh stated that Abu Bakar will 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 is a Federal Court judge and the Court of Appeal president, the second-highest administrative position in the judicial hierarchy.
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 is widely tipped to be appointed as the next CJM.
