Kuala lumpur: Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad, a prominent figure in Malaysia's judiciary, passed away today at the age of 83. He leaves behind a rich legacy of legal thought and numerous publications that reflect his deep engagement with the law, the judiciary, and broader societal issues.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Abdul Hamid was born on April 18, 1942, in Kampung Permatang Tinggi Bakar Bata, Kepala Batas, Penang. His early education took place at Sekolah Melayu Sungai Keladi, followed by St. Xavier's Institution. He later pursued law at the University of Singapore, graduating in 1969. His career in the judiciary began the same year as a Magistrate, moving through various roles including Deputy Registrar of the High Court in 1975, and Head of the Prosecution Division at the Attorney-General's Chambers in 1988.
In 1990, Abdul Hamid became a Judicial Commissioner in Penang. He was appointed as a High Court Judge in 1992, a Court of Appeal Judge in 2000, and a Federal Court Judge in 2003. On September 5, 2007, he rose to the position of President of the Court of Appeal. He reached the pinnacle of his career on November 1, 2007, when he was appointed Chief Justice, becoming a steadfast advocate for the Federal Constitution and the rule of law throughout his tenure.
Abdul Hamid was known for his prolific output, writing 555 judgments and publishing over 504 speeches and working papers. His judgments, particularly those concerning the jurisdiction of Syariah and Civil courts, are highly regarded. Notable cases include Latifah bte Mat Zin v Rosmawati bte Sharibun (2007), Abdul Kahar bin Ahmad v the Selangor State Government and Anor (2008), and Sulaiman bin Takrib v the Terengganu State Government (2009). These judgments were compiled into a significant volume, 'Konflik dan Pengharmonian', which remains an essential reference.
His literary contributions include eight books such as 'I Will Never Beg', 'The Truth Shall Prevail', and 'No Judge Is A Parliament', which offer insights into his perspectives on Malaysia's legal system. Abdul Hamid's academic achievements were recognized with honorary doctorates from Universiti Tenaga Nasional Malaysia, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He also served as an Adjunct Professor at several universities.
Abdul Hamid's contributions were acknowledged with awards including the 2004 Islamic Finance Lifetime Achievement Award and recognition as the National Maal Hijrah Figure in 2015. His roles extended beyond the judiciary; he was involved in the Judicial Appointments Commission, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's Advisory Board, and the Syariah Advisory Councils of Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia.
Survived by his wife, Toh Puan Hamidah Choong Abdulah, and four children, Abdul Hamid leaves a lasting impact on the legal fraternity and the nation as a whole.