Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat
Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat (born 2 July 1959) is a distinguished Malaysian lawyer who made history as the first female Chief Justice of Malaysia, serving from 2019 until her retirement in July 2025. Her career is marked by several landmark decisions and contributions to the Malaysian legal landscape.
Early Life and Education
Tengku Maimun was born in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. She pursued her early education at Merbau English School and continued her secondary education at Kota Bharu Secondary School and Sultan Ismail College. She completed her sixth form education at Kolej Tunku Kurshiah, a prestigious residential school for girls.
Legal Career
Tengku Maimun began her legal journey in 1982 as a legal officer with the Southern Kelantan Development Board. In 1984, she moved to the Seremban Municipal Council holding an equivalent position. Her career trajectory saw her rise through the judicial ranks, culminating in her appointment as the Chief Justice of Malaysia.
Chief Justice of Malaysia
Appointed as the Chief Justice in May 2019, Tengku Maimun's tenure was notable for several significant rulings. One of her most prominent cases was the unanimous decision in 2021, where she led a nine-judge Federal Court bench that struck down Section 28 of the Selangor Shariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995. This decision declared the enactment unconstitutional, emphasizing the separation of state and federal legislative powers in Malaysia.
Landmark Cases
In addition to the Selangor Shariah case, Tengku Maimun presided over numerous other high-profile cases. She was part of the three-judge panel in the Banting murders case in December 2015, delivering crucial rulings that impacted Malaysian jurisprudence. Her work on cases like the Murder of Lai Ying Xin further underscored her commitment to justice and legal integrity.
Retirement and Legacy
Tengku Maimun retired in July 2025, succeeded by Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh. Her legacy is marked by her trailblazing role as the first woman to hold the highest judicial office in Malaysia and her steadfast dedication to upholding the rule of law.