Senior Federal Court judge Nallini Pathmanathan will remain in office until February next year after her tenure was extended by six months, according to sources.
FMT understands that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim recently granted the extension, with the letter handed to the judge yesterday.
Nallini is the fifth judge to see her tenure extended this year.
She will turn 66 on Aug 23, the mandatory retirement age for judges.
Nallini was appointed a judicial commissioner on March 1, 2007, and made a High Court judge on Oct 14, 2009.
She was elevated to the Court of Appeal on Sept 12, 2014, and to the Federal Court on Nov 26, 2018.
In February, Nallini concluded a two-year tenure on the Judicial Appointments Commission, the body responsible for vetting judicial commissioners and judges for elevation.
Article 125 of the Federal Constitution states that superior court judges shall hold office until age 66, but their tenure can be extended by the king for up to six months.
Earlier this year, the king extended the tenure of four apex court judges, including Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim, who briefly served as acting chief justice following the retirement of Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.
Other judges who saw their tenure extended were Zabariah Yusof, who will serve until Oct 9, and Hanipah Farikullah (Nov 22).
Former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak Abdul Rahman Sebli retired on July 24, after completing his extended term.
Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil did not take up the offer and retired in April.
Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and former Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim left office early last month on turning 66.
