PUTRAJAYA (Nov 26): The search is on for a candidate to fill the vacancy in Malaysia's Court of Appeal president post following Tan Sri Ahmad Maarop's retirement yesterday.

Judges in Malaysia retire at the mandatory age of 66, and their services can be extended for another six months as stipulated under the Federal Constitution.

Ahmad was Court of Appeal president from July 11, 2018 until yesterday (Nov 25). Prior to being the Court of Appeal president, he was Chief Judge of Malaya.

With the vacancy in the Court of Appeal president post, there is a possibility that Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Azahar Mohamed or any Federal Court judge will be elevated to become the next Court of Appeal president.

The Court of Appeal president appointment requires recommendations from the Judicial Appointments Commission and Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, followed by consent from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

The Court of Appeal president post may be filled at the earliest on Friday, as there is a scheduled elevation of judges event at the Palace of Justice here.