MEDIA RELEASE : 6 December 2019

MEDIA RELEASE

MINISTER OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES YB TERESA KOK EXTENDS HER CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOUR WOMEN JUDGES PROMOTED

I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to YAA Dato' Rohana Yusuf on Her Ladyship's appointment as the President of the Court of Appeal. Also, heartiest congratulations to YA Dato' Zaleha Yusof, YA Dato' Zabariah Mohd Yusof, and YA Datuk Hasnah Dato' Mohammed Hashim, who were elevated to the Federal Court.

The appointment of YAA Dato' Rohana Yusuf is a proud first in Malaysian history for a female judge to be appointed as the president of the Court of Appeal. She is the first woman to reach the second-highest position in the judiciary after Tan Sri Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat broke new ground by becoming Malaysia’s first woman chief justice. Her elevation means that the two leaders of the judiciary are now women.

The three newly elevated Federal Court Judges, YA Dato' Zaleha Yusof, YA Dato' Zabariah Mohd Yusof, and YA Datuk Hasnah Dato' Mohammed Hashim should also be applauded as we now have four women judges out of the nine Federal Court judges.

These extraordinary women have demonstrated great depths in their knowledge of the law. They are now taking up top positions in the nation's judiciary and are setting a good example for all young women in Malaysia.

Having such gender diversity at the highest level of the Judiciary is definitely a positive move and should be highly commended. These historic appointments demonstrate that qualifications, skills and knowledge are indeed appreciated in our Malaysia Baharu!

YB Teresa Kok
6 December 2019