New CJ Md Raus vows to perform duties to the best of his abilities

KUALA LUMPUR: The new Chief Justice of Malaysia Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif (pix) said he would carry out the duties of the office to the best of his abilities as required by the Federal Constitution.
He expressed his gratitude to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V and the Conference of Rulers on his appointment as the new Chief Justice.
"I also wish to thank the Malaysian Government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak," he said on WhatsApp when asked to comment on the appointment.
In a press statement today, Md Raus said he would continue the efforts made by former Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria in ensuring that the Malaysian Judiciary continued to excel.
Md Raus, 66, is the 14th Chief Justice of Malaysia, replacing Arifin who retired after reaching the age of 66 years and six months, yesterday.
The retirement age for judges is 66. However, Arifin's and Md Raus' services had been extended for six months.
Md Raus' service has been extended from Feb 4 to Aug 3 this year.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V consented to the appointment, as per Clause (1), Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, on the advice of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and after consultations with the Conference of Rulers.
The statement said that Sultan Muhammad also consented to the appointment of Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin as Court of Appeal president, replacing Md Raus.
It also stated Federal Court judge Tan Sri Ahmad Maarop's appointment as Chief Judge of Malaya, succeeding Zulkefli.
Md Raus was born on Feb 4, 1951, in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, and is married to Puan Sri Salwany Mohamed Zamri. The couple is blessed with two children.
His formal education began at Sekolah Rendah Kampung Astana Raja, Rembau, Negri Sembilan, before he went on to attend Sekolah Menengah Tunku Besar Tampin for his secondary education.
Md Raus completed his form six at Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (STAR), lpoh, Perak.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Malaya in 1976.
He was in the pioneer class of law students of the University of Malaya and obtained his Masters of Law from the London School of Economics in 1987.
Md Raus' distinguished legal career began in 1976 as an attachment officer at the Magistrate's Court at Court Hill and later at Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur.
After several months as attachment officer, he was appointed as a Magistrate and posted to Pontian, Johor.
He then served in the Judicial and Legal Service in various posts such as President of the Sessions Court, deputy public prosecutor for Kelantan and Terengganu, legal adviser to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malacca State legal adviser, legal adviser to the Ministry of Defence, Kelantan State legal adviser and Treasury Solicitor to the Ministry of Finance before being appointed Judicial Commissioner on Nov 1, 1994.
On Jan 12, 1996, he was appointed as High Court Judge.
During his tenure as High Court Judge, he served in Shah Alam, Muar, Penang and Kuala Lumpur in the Commercial Division, Civil Division (Family Court) and the Appellate and Special Powers Division.
He was elevated to the Court of Appeal on July 28, 2008, and thereafter as Judge of the Federal Court on Oct 14, 2009.
On Sept 12, 2011, Md Raus was appointed President of the Court of Appeal.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali welcomed the appointment of Md Raus as the new Chief Justice.
He said Md Raus deserved it and in terms of seniority, he was in line for the promotion to the highest post in the Judiciary.
Mohamed Apandi said Md Raus was the first law graduate from the local university to reach such an esteemed position.
"My sincere congratulations. I am happy for him and the judiciary and I am sure he will maintain the current good image of the judiciary in terms of integrity and productivity," he said when asked to comment on Md Raus' appointment. — Bernama