This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on July 18, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim was sworn in as the new Chief Judge of the High Court of Malaya yesterday, making her the second woman to hold the position in Malaysia.

Zaharah, 65, was sworn into one of the top four positions in the judiciary to replace Tan Sri Ahmad Maarop, who was appointed President of the Court of Appeal last Thursday.

She is the second woman to hold the position after Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob, who served from 2005 to 2007.

According to a press release issued by the Corporate Communications Unit in the Chief Registrar’s Office of the Federal Court, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V had consented to Zaharah’s appointment effective July 11, 2018.

Zaharah took her oath of office yesterday before High Court senior judge Datuk Su Geok Yiam at the Palace of Justice.

Also present were Ahmad Maarop, as well as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Datuk David Wong Dak Wah.

Chief Justice Tan Sri Richard Malanjum was not present, as he was at the parliament.

In a separate statement, the Malaysian Bar welcomed and congratulated Zaharah’s appointment.

“The Malaysian Bar looks forward to working with YAA Tan Sri Zaharah Ibrahim.

“We wish Her Ladyship all the very best in her vital new role and responsibilities, and we pledge to offer Her Ladyship our fullest cooperation and support,” said Malaysian Bar president George Varughese.

Johor Baru-born Zaharah received her early education at SK Bandar Pontian in Pontian before heading to Sekolah Tun Fatimah in Johor Baru where she studied until Form Six.

She graduated from the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree in 1977.

Zaharah was appointed Judicial Commissioner on Aug 1, 2004, and was later appointed High Court judge on July 28, 2006.

On April 14, 2010, she was made a Court of Appeal judge and was subsequently appointed to the Federal Court on Feb 16, 2015.