KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 – A group of former Malaysian Bar presidents has expressed concern over reports suggesting the possible appointment of the Attorney General Datuk Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh as the next Chief Judge of Malaya (CJM).

They argue that there is no cogent and compelling reason to appoint an "outsider” for the role, especially when there are several qualified Federal Court judges available for the position.

"The adverse effect on their morale and the institution of the Judiciary as a whole, by virtue of this continuing delay to appoint from within, cannot be overstated,” they stated in a joint press release.

"This perception gravely compromises public confidence in the independence of the Judiciary and the administration of justice.”

The former presidents highlighted that Terrirudin has not served as a judge of the High Court or appellate courts, raising questions about his qualifications for the CJM post.

Last week, media reports suggested that Terrirudin was expected to be appointed as a Federal Court judge, with the possibility of later assuming the role of CJM.

A report also suggested the possibility that Terrirudin may be made a judge of the apex court while leaving the CJM position — the third-highest position in Malaysia's judiciary — temporarily vacant.

The group also suggested that "the inordinate and unaccountable delay” in the appointment of the CJM — which has been vacant for four-and-a-half months — has been due to executive interference in the appointment process.

"It does not augur well for the nation to leave the future of the Judiciary and the administration of justice in such a state of uncertainty.

"The sacrosanct position of the Judiciary in our constitutional scheme must never again be diminished by the overweening exercise of Executive influence or power,” they said.

The statement was co-signed by Zainur Zakaria, Mah Weng Kwai, Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari, Yeo Yang Poh, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, Ragunath Kesavan, Lim Chee Wee, Christopher Leong, and Steven Thiru.

Currently, Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim is performing the duties of CJM on an interim basis.

The CJM post became vacant following the mandatory retirement of Justice Tan Sri ​​Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah on February 29.

Terrirudin was formerly the solicitor general before being appointed the AG on September 6 last year. He had replaced his predecessor Tan Sri Idrus Harun whose contract ended on September 5.