Tun Abdul Hamid Leaves Lasting Mark On Bench, Legal Thought

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad, who died today at the age of 83, was a respected figure in the judiciary and legal fraternity as well as the author of several books reflecting his views and thoughts on law, the judiciary and life, leaving behind a distinguished intellectual legacy.

Known for his motto “Buat Kerja” (Do the Work), Abdul Hamid, who was born on April 18, 1942, in Kampung Permatang Tinggi Bakar Bata, Kepala Batas, Penang, received his early education at Sekolah Melayu Sungai Keladi before continuing his studies at St. Xavier's Institution and later obtaining a law degree from the University of Singapore in 1969.

He began his career in the judiciary as a Magistrate in 1969, and then served as the Deputy Registrar of the High Court (1975) and Head of the Prosecution Division at the Attorney-General’s Chambers (1988), before being appointed Judicial Commissioner in 1990 in Penang.

He was subsequently appointed as a High Court Judge in 1992, Court of Appeal Judge in 2000, Federal Court Judge in 2003 and President of the Court of Appeal on Sept 5, 2007.

On Nov 1, 2007, at the age of 65, he was appointed Chief Justice, the highest position in the country’s judiciary, and throughout his service, he was remembered as a firm, principled judge committed to upholding the supremacy of the Federal Constitution and the rule of law.

During his service, Abdul Hamid wrote 555 judgments, including 457 at the High Court, 53 at the Court of Appeal and 27 at the Federal Court, in addition to publishing more than 504 speeches and working papers related to the judiciary.

While serving as Chief Justice, he penned several landmark judgments concerning the jurisdiction of the Syariah and Civil courts, including Latifah bte Mat Zin v Rosmawati bte Sharibun (2007) 5 MLJ 101, Abdul Kahar bin Ahmad v the Selangor State Government & Anor [2008] 4 CLJ 309 and Sulaiman bin Takrib v the Terengganu State Government (2009) 6 MLJ 354.

All these judgments were later compiled into a 508-page volume titled ‘Konflik dan Pengharmonian’, which continues to serve as an important reference in the country’s judicial and legal fields. He was also active in writing, producing eight books.

Among his works are I Will Never Beg, Saya Tidak Akan Melutut, The Truth Shall Prevail, Buat Kerja, Hakim Bukan Parlimen, No Judge Is A Parliament and Baca dan Fikir, which reflect his thoughts and views on the nation’s legal and judicial landscape.

He was conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Management by Universiti Tenaga Nasional Malaysia (UNITEN), an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Syariah and Judiciary by Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), and an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

Abdul Hamid was also appointed Adjunct Professor at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universiti Tenaga Nasional Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

He received the 2004 Islamic Finance Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kuala Lumpur Islamic Finance Forum (KLIFF), and was named the National Maal Hijrah Figure in 2015 in recognition of his contributions to Islam at both the national and international levels.

Abdul Hamid also held various important positions at the national level.

He served as a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission for two years and as a member of the Anti-Corruption Advisory Board of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in February 2009, as well as a member of Bank Negara Malaysia’s Syariah Advisory Council from 2010 to 2013.

He was also appointed as a member of the Syariah Advisory Council of the Securities Commission Malaysia for a two-year term beginning July 1, 2012, and as chairman of the Special Committee to review issues relating to cash payments from petroleum revenues to states on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia on Aug 4, 2012.

Abdul Hamid is survived by his wife, Toh Puan Hamidah Choong Abdulah, and four children.

-- BERNAMA