AROUND 150 judges in Malaysia will see their salaries rise with effect from January 1, following the gazetting of new remuneration regulations aimed at strengthening judicial independence and recognising the responsibilities borne by the judiciary.
The government gazette, published on December 24 under the Judges’ Remuneration Regulations 2025, sets out revised monthly salaries across all levels of the judiciary.
Under the new structure, the Chief Justice of Malaysia will receive RM46,800 a month, up from RM36,000, while the President of the Court of Appeal will earn RM40,950, compared with the previous RM31,500.
The salaries of the Chief Judge of Malaya and the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak have been standardised at RM39,650. Previously, the Chief Judge of Malaya earned RM30,500, while the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak received RM30,000.
Federal Court judges will now be paid RM37,050, an increase from RM28,500. Judges of the Court of Appeal will receive RM35,750 instead of RM27,500, while High Court judges’ salaries rise to RM34,450 from RM26,500. Judicial commissioners serving on contract will see their monthly pay increase to RM33,150 from RM25,500.
No changes have been made to judges’ monthly allowances or other benefits.
The salary adjustments follow an announcement made two months ago during the tabling of Budget 2026 in Parliament, when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also holds the finance portfolio, said judges would receive a 30 per cent pay rise.
He noted that the last revision to judicial salaries took place in 2015 and explained that judges do not enjoy annual salary increments, unlike officers under other public service schemes.
Meanwhile, the government has also moved to refine regulations governing the provision of Unrecorded Leave, for civil servants pursuing part-time studies at local institutions of higher learning.
In a statement, the Public Service Department said the revised rules are provided for under Human Resources Service Circular SR.5.2.5.
The improvements are intended to ensure that the implementation of Unrecorded Leave remains aligned with current developments, particularly in light of the growing diversity and flexibility of part-time study arrangements offered by educational institutions.
“Among the improvements made to this circular are those relating to the types of studies allowed, the categories of officers eligible, as well as the conditions governing the use of Unrecorded Leave,” the department said.
According to the statement, the revisions are aimed at ensuring existing regulations remain relevant as part-time study options become more varied and dynamic.
The Public Service Department added that the updated circular, SR.5.2.5 on Unrecorded Leave facilities for officers undertaking part-time studies at local institutions, can be accessed through the MyPPSM portal on its official website.
“This circular is also extended in its entirety to all State Public Services, Statutory Bodies and Local Authorities, subject to acceptance by the respective authorities,” the statement said. - December 29, 2025
