SENIOR Federal Court judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan will continue serving on Malaysia’s highest bench until February 2026, following the approval of a six-month tenure extension under Article 125 of the Federal Constitution.
Nallini, who reaches the mandatory retirement age of 66 on 23 August, is understood to have received formal notification of the extension earlier this month, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The Edge reported that the extension had not been a certainty, particularly after former Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and her deputy, former Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, both retired in July without extensions to their tenures.
In June, when queried by reporters, Tengku Maimun stated that none of the three had yet received news regarding possible extensions.
Nallini entered the judiciary in 2007 as a Judicial Commissioner and was confirmed as a High Court judge in 2009. She was subsequently elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2014, and in 2018, to the Federal Court.
Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh was appointed as the 17th Chief Justice on 18 July, succeeding Tengku Maimun in a midnight swearing-in.
Judiciary gears up for major intake amid vacancies
In a major step to address mounting judicial delays, 23 new Judicial Commissioners (JCs) are expected to be sworn in next week—one of the largest single intakes in recent years.
According to judicial sources, the new cohort is being brought in to relieve pressure on the High Courts, which are contending with over 30 vacant positions. The shortage has been exacerbated by last month’s elevation of six High Court judges to the Court of Appeal.
The Judicial Appointments Commission has vetted the incoming JCs, who are drawn from a broad cross-section of legal backgrounds, including the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Federal Court’s administrative service, and private legal practice.
In his inaugural policy speech delivered Wednesday, Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid acknowledged the Bar’s concern over the vacancies and pledged institutional support to manage the backlog.
“We will work together to resolve the backlog of cases throughout the country,” he said. “To this end, I am happy to inform you that we are working with the government on increasing the number of courtrooms and appointing additional Judicial Commissioners.”
He also announced that circuit judges and JCs would be assigned to various regions specifically to dispose of ageing cases.
“In order to drastically reduce the backlog of cases, the judiciary will assign circuit judges and JCs in various stations to hear ageing cases and dispose of them within a specified period. We hope that this would ease the burden of existing judges and Judicial Commissioners, who can then concentrate on existing cases,” he added.
Nallini becomes the fifth apex court judge this year to receive an extension. Others include Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim, who briefly assumed the role of acting Chief Justice following the retirement of Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, as well as Federal Court judges Zabariah Yusof (extended until 9 October) and Hanipah Farikullah (until 22 November).
The former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, Abdul Rahman Sebli, concluded his extension on 24 July.
Nallini was first appointed as a judicial commissioner on 1 March 2007. She rose to the High Court in October 2009, was promoted to the Court of Appeal in September 2014, and reached the Federal Court on 26 November 2018. She also completed a two-year term earlier this year on the Judicial Appointments Commission, which oversees judicial nominations and elevations. - August 8, 2025
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