FEDERAL Court judge Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof has officially assumed the duties and powers of the President of the Court of Appeal following the retirement of Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim on Tuesday.
Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim – currently performing the duties of Chief Justice – in a letter dated the same day, stated that Zabariah’s appointment takes effect immediately under Section 9(3)(a) of the Court of Judicature Act 1964.
According to the letter, Zabariah will discharge the responsibilities of the President of the Court of Appeal until the position is filled on a permanent basis.
Copies of the letter were also sent to Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, Federal Court Chief Registrar Datuk Zamri Bakar, and Court of Appeal Registrar Jumirah Marjuki.
Zabariah began her judicial career as a Judicial Commissioner at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on 5 January 2009 and was confirmed as a High Court judge on 9 August 2010. She later served at the Seremban High Court in 2013 before returning to Kuala Lumpur in 2016.
She was elevated to the Court of Appeal on 21 March 2016 and subsequently appointed to the Federal Court on 5 December 2019. Although she turned 66 on 10 April this year, she was granted a six-month extension in service.
In March 2024, Zabariah was also appointed as a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).
The President of the Court of Appeal holds the second-highest position within Malaysia’s judiciary, ranking just below the Chief Justice. - July 4, 2025
