PUTRAJAYA: As she nears the end of her distinguished career, Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, the first female chief justice, today looked back on nearly six years of immense challenges and personal attacks.
Despite the trials and tribulations, including vilification and relentless criticism, she has stood firm in her commitment to justice.
The top judge, in her final speech at the Opening of the Legal Year 2025 at Putrajaya International Convention Centre, reflected on her journey with the same resolve that has defined her tenure.
"As chief justice, I have been criticised, vilified, labelled un-Islamic or an enemy of Islam.
"My husband (unfairly so) has been used against me in some applications to not only have me recused but more generally, to embarrass me and my colleagues.
"None of them has or ever will pass the test of my conscience, and praise be to Allah, I have not once lost sleep over these comments."
She was although the position was "extremely intimidating", she had been fully committed to doing it properly.
"I will not bend or bow to any person no matter how high and mighty, to do what he or she demands of me," she added. "My only master is Allah."
Tengku Maimun, who is scheduled to retire in July, also questioned those who labelled her as anti-Islam, urging them to reflect on the basis of such accusations.
"I wake up every day praying and hoping that the most beneficent and most Merciful Allah accepts my 'ibadah and deeds.
"It is not for me to question the faith of others because in the first place I will never know, until the Day of Reckoning, whether Allah has accepted my own.
"My only response to them is this one rhetorical question: for those of you who have the time to question the faith of others, are you confident enough that Allah as the Sole Judge, has accepted your own 'ibadah and deeds such that you have now been ordained the standing to question mine and of others?" she said.
Tengku Maimun expressed relief and confidence that she would be leaving the judiciary in a better state than when she first took the helm.
"I am looking forward to retirement, with the opportunity to spend more time with my grandchildren and deepen my connection to my faith."