Malaysia’s first female Chief Justice’s visit
In April 2026, the ANU Malaysia Institute welcomed Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Malaysia’s first female Chief Justice, to Canberra for a distinguished series of events that drew academics, students, members of the Malaysian diaspora, and the broader public.
The visit opened on 21 April with the 2026 ST Lee Lecture at the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific. In her address, ‘Judicial Independence in Modern Society: The Malaysian Experience’, Tun Tengku Maimun offered a candid and reflective examination of Malaysia’s evolving legal landscape. She spoke about the historical context of how the Constitution was formulated in Malaysia, as well as institutional and social challenges and defining moments in the judiciary, underscoring the essential role of judicial independence in upholding democracy, constitutional integrity, and fundamental rights. Calling for a renewed commitment to constitutional supremacy, her remarks sparked thoughtful discussion on governance, accountability, and the rule of law across the region.
The full text of the lecture is attached on this page.
The lecture concluded with a Q&A session moderated by ANU Malaysia Institute Director Dr Ying Xin Show. Tun Tengku Maimun addressed questions on judicial impartiality, professional integrity, and the management of dissenting judgments, while also highlighting the importance of limiting political influence in senior judicial appointments to strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.
On 23 April, she met with ANU law students for a closed-door discussion moderated by Associate Professor Joshua Neoh. Students engaged closely with her landmark judgment in the ‘Nik Elin v Kelantan Government’ case, exploring topics such as constitutional interpretation, the relationship between common law and Shariah court systems, and comparisons between Malaysian and Australian legal frameworks.
Later that day, Tun Tengku Maimun joined ACT Chief Justice Lucy McCallum for a public conversation hosted by the ANU Centre for International and Public Law. Titled ‘Women Leaders in Law’ and moderated by Associate Professor Heather Roberts, the discussion examined leadership, lived experience, and gender dynamics within the legal profession. The conversation also highlighted the role of judges in protecting fundamental rights and fostering diversity, as well as the importance of preparing future generations of judges who uphold integrity and justice.
Tun Tengku Maimun’s visit marked a standout moment for the ANU Malaysia Institute in 2026, contributing significantly to scholarship and public discourse on Malaysia and the crucial role of the judiciary in contemporary Malaysia.
Bio of Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat
Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat served as Malaysia’s first female Chief Justice, having been appointed in 2019 and retiring in July 2025. Tun Tengku Maimun brings decades of distinguished legal experience. She holds a law degree from the University of Malaya and was called to the Bar in 1995. She was appointed to the Superior Court Bench in 2006, elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2013, and then to the Federal Court in 2018, before assuming the office of Chief Justice in 2019.
Her tenure as Chief Justice followed Malaysia’s first historic change of government in 2018. During this period, she presided over several landmark rulings that have had a profound impact on Malaysia’s constitutional and legal landscape. These include upholding the conviction of former Prime Minister Najib Razak; clarifying the constitutional boundaries between Common Law and Shariah court systems; decisions upholding the constitutional right to peaceful assembly; and overturning unilateral child conversion. Her leadership strengthened public confidence in the rule of law, constitutional supremacy, and judicial integrity in Malaysia.
