Kuala lumpur: On his final day on the bench in 2008, after delivering a landmark judgment in a civil case at the Special Court set up to hear cases involving royalty, Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad created an unforgettable moment. For the first time, he invited photographers into the courtroom, a symbolic gesture that opened the doors of justice to public view and marked a powerful affirmation of transparency at the close of his distinguished career.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Chief Justice's invitation to photographers represented a departure from long-standing practice, as photography during court proceedings had previously been prohibited. The sound of camera shutters briefly interrupted the courtroom's customary silence, underscoring the significance of the moment.
Recalling the moment, the Chief Justice said, 'This Friday is my last day serving as Chief Justice. You may call the photographers waiting outside the courtroom to take photographs of my final sitting today.' Following the invitation, policemen stationed in the courtroom called in the photographers, and they took about three minutes to capture what would become 'once-in-a-lifetime' images.
Today, the nation bids farewell to Tun Abdul Hamid, who passed away at the age of 83 at Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM). The passing of Tun Abdul Hamid, who served as Chief Justice from December 2007 until October 2008, is a significant loss felt deeply by Malaysia's judiciary and the nation.
Sharing the historic moment, Mahayudin Mohamad, who was then a Bernama photographer at the Putrajaya Bureau, expressed his excitement at being able to capture images inside a courtroom for the first time. He had been waiting outside the courtroom since early morning for the high-profile civil case and was surprised when court police invited him inside.
Bernama senior court reporter Jocelyn Ann Dragon described Tun Abdul Hamid as a great jurist known for his thoughtful and candid views on legal and constitutional matters. The Edge Malaysia associate editor Hafiz Yatim added that Tun Abdul Hamid was not only a jurist but also a nationalist and a deeply religious person, often referencing faith and Islam in his judgments.
For Free Malaysia Today senior court reporter V. Anbalagan, Tun Abdul Hamid is remembered for the slogan 'Buat Kerja' during his brief tenure as Chief Justice, reflecting his emphasis on diligence among judges and court staff in serving the public.