Hasnah Mohammed Hashim

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Mohammed Hashim is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Hasnah. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Yang Amat Arif Tan Sri Dato' Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim PSM SSAP PMW JMN
حسنة محمد هاشم‎
Chief Justice of Malaysia
Acting
In office 3 July 2025 –28 July 2025

Hasnah binti Mohammed Hashim (born 15 May 1959) is a Malaysian judge and legal professional who has served as the 13th Chief Judge of Malaya since November 2024. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Early life and education

Hasnah binti Mohammed Hashim was born on 15 May 1959 in Kuantan, Pahang. She pursued her early education in Pahang before enrolling at the University of Malaya, where she earned her Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1983. She was later admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 2002. ^[4]

Career

Hasnah began her legal career in August 1983 as a legal officer in the Attorney General's Chambers. She later served as Senior Federal Counsel and legal adviser at several federal ministries, including the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Ministry of Works, and the former Ministry of Telecommunications and Posts. She was also appointed as the Assistant State Legal Adviser in Selangor, becoming the first woman to hold that post. ^{[1] [2]}

In 1994, Hasnah was appointed as a judge of the Sessions Court, serving in Selangor and later in Kuala Lumpur. In 2000, she was made the Registrar of the Court of Appeal of Malaysia. She later served as Director of the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (2007–2009), and as Director General of the Department of Insolvency in 2009. From January 2009 to May 2010, she held the position of Chief Registrar of the Federal Court of Malaysia. ^{[1] [4]}

Hasnah was appointed as a Judicial Commissioner of the High Court of Malaya on 3 May 2010 and elevated to High Court Judge on 4 April 2012. She served in the Commercial Division of the High Court in Kuala Lumpur. In 2013, she was appointed President of the Competition Appeal Tribunal. She was later promoted to the Court of Appeal on 21 March 2016. ^{[3] [2] [1]}

On 5 December 2019, Hasnah was elevated to the Federal Court of Malaysia. On 12 November 2024, she was appointed as the Chief Judge of Malaya, becoming the 13th person and the third female to hold the position. ^{[1] [2]}

Notable case

On 1 July 2025, Hasnah chaired a three-judge panel of the Federal Court that heard and ruled on a preliminary objection filed by former Prime Minister Najib Razak against the Attorney General's appeal in the judicial review case concerning the Addendum Decree. In delivering the panel’s unanimous decision, Hasnah announced that the objection was dismissed. The panel found that the legal questions raised by the Attorney General, including those related to the power of pardon under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, were new issues requiring further consideration by the court. The decision allows the substantive appeal to proceed in a scheduled two-day hearing. ^{[5] [6]}

Notable contributions

Throughout her career, Hasnah has been involved in various aspects of judicial and legal service, including judicial administration, court management, and legal policy development. She was part of initiatives to modernise court operations and contributed to the implementation of digital systems in the judiciary beginning in 2019.

Her previous roles also included work in legislative drafting and involvement in privatisation processes during her tenure with several federal ministries. As of 2024, she serves as the Chair of the Judicial Training Committee under the Judicial Academy, overseeing programmes related to the continuing education and development of judicial officers. ^[4]

Personal life

Hasnah is married to Mohd Idris Habib. They have three daughters.

Honours

• Malaysia  :
  • Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – Tan Sri (2025) ^{[7] [8]}
  • Companion of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (JMN) (2009) ^{[9] [10]}
• Federal Territory (Malaysia)  :
  • Commander of the Order of the Territorial Crown (PMW) – Datuk (2010) ^{[11] [12]}
• Pahang  :
  • Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (2020) ^[13]

References

1. "Hasnah angkat sumpah jawatan Hakim Besar Malaya". Astro Awani (in Malay). 12 November 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
2. Emir Zainul (11 November 2024). "Federal Court judge Hasnah Hashim tipped to be new Chief Judge of Malaya — source". The Edge Malaysia. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
3. "Hasnah Hashim sworn in as 14th chief judge of Malaya". Free Malaysia Today. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
4. "NYLPC Soirée (Lecture and Dinner) 2025 – Digital Booklet" (PDF). Malaysian Bar. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
5. "Rayuan untuk ketepikan kes titah adendum hari ini". Berita Harian (in Malay). 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
6. "Najib gagal bantah Peguam Negara merayu kes titah adendum". Berita Harian (in Malay). 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
7. "Peguam Negara Dahului Senarai Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Pingat Sempena Keputeraan Agong" (in Malay). Bernama. 2 June 2025.
8. Bernama (2 June 2025). "A-G, armed forces chief, deputy IGP among King's birthday award recipients". New Straits Times.
9. "Senarai Penerima Darjah Kebesaran, Bintang dan Pingat Persekutuan Tahun 2009" (PDF). www.istiadat.gov.my (in Malay).
10. "The Yang di-Pertuan Agong's birthday honours list 2009". The Star . 6 June 2009. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
11. "Penerima Pingat 2010" (PDF). Jabatan Wilayah Persekutuan (in Malay). 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
12. "Tun Abdullah ketuai senarai penerima darjah kebesaran Wilayah Persekutuan 2010". mStar (in Malay). 31 January 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
13. "8 anakanda Agong terima darjah kebesaran Pahang". Berita Harian (in Malay). 15 August 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2025.