The plaintiffs comprised 28 former judges who served in the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court of Malaya and the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak, and seven dependents of deceased judges. — Reuters pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 — A group of retired judges and their dependents have filed a suit against the Malaysian government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, seeking a court order to ensure their pensions are adjusted based on the pension scheme for serving judges.
In the originating summons sighted by Malay Mail, the plaintiffs comprised 28 former judges who served in the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court of Malaya and the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak, and seven dependents of deceased judges.
Besides Ismail Sabri and the Malaysian government, the Cabinet and director-general of Public Services were named as defendants in the suit.
In the court document, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the failure by the defendants — by order in the Government Gazette — in prescribing the appropriate higher percentage of adjustment than the 2 per cent annual increment to the pension and other benefits of each plaintiff which came into effect on July 1, 2015 had continuously altered the pension and other benefits to their disadvantage.
They are also seeking an order for the named defendants to pay each of the plaintiffs the amount entitled to since July 1, 2015 by applying the appropriate higher percentage of adjustment than 2 per cent annual increment to the pension and other benefits pursuant to Section 15B of the Judges’ Remuneration Act.
Lawyer Christopher Leong of the legal firm Chooi & Company + Cheang & Ariff — who is acting solicitors for the plaintiffs — confirmed the filing at the High Court on January 24.
He also confirmed no dates have been fixed for hearing yet.
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