Kuala lumpur: A landmark 30 percent salary increase for judges, gazetted to take effect on Jan 1, 2026, has been widely endorsed by the legal fraternity as an important step to strengthen judicial independence and attract top talent to the bench.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the move, which fulfils a pledge made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the 2026 Budget, will apply to all judges from the High Court to the Federal Court.
Legal professionals emphasised that the increase, the first since July 2015, is urgently needed to align judicial compensation with the soaring cost of living and the critical constitutional role of the judiciary.
Former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus described the adjustment as both "timely and appropriate." He stated that judges must be well-remunerated and spared from financial distraction to discharge their role with excellence and dignity. Competitive compensation is crucial to attracting leading legal minds of integrity to the bench, whether from the Judicial and Legal Service or private practice.
Echoing this sentiment, Malaysian Bar president Datuk Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said the raise would help recruit and retain high-calibre candidates, thereby bolstering public confidence in the justice system. However, he urged further reform, calling for an independent Judges' Remuneration Commission to ensure regular, principled reviews free from executive influence.
The pay rise is also seen as a measure to insulate the judiciary from economic pressures and affirm its stature as a pillar of democracy. Practising lawyer Razman Sahat welcomed the adjustment, highlighting that considering the heavy workload judges shoulder, this increase will directly support the quality and integrity of the judiciary.
Razman further emphasised a critical benefit: adequate salaries serve as a safeguard, reducing the risk of corruption and conflicts of interest by insulating judges from external financial pressures. He advocates for the salary adjustment to be periodically reviewed by the government in line with changing times.
This perspective is echoed in academia. Assoc Prof Dr Khairil Azmin Mokhtar, a constitutional law expert at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), describes the policy as a positive step that acknowledges the demanding role and duties of a judge. He explained that judges hold a high office and require adequate support to manage living costs amidst economic pressures.
Lawyer and former magistrate Nur A'minahtul Mardiah Md Nor notes that soaring living costs make the raise a reasonable step. She sees a wider strategic benefit, saying it could draw top-tier legal talent to the bench and improve judicial retention. She reminds us of the significant weight carried by the bench, embodying the integrity and authority of the nation.
These voices frame the pay rise as more than a line in the budget. It is portrayed as a multifaceted tool: a bulwark against impropriety, a necessary support for a constrained profession, and a clear signal that Malaysia values and seeks to fortify one of the fundamental pillars of its democracy-a robust, independent, and respected judiciary.