World · Malaysia Bureau
Former Chief Judge Richard Malanjum Admitted as Advocate and Solicitor
Richard Malanjum, the first Chief Judge from Borneo, has been admitted to practise law following his tenure as the nation's top judicial officer. Malanjum served as Chief Judge for nine months before stepping down.
LSN Malaysia ·

Richard Malanjum has been formally admitted as an advocate and solicitor, marking a significant transition in his legal career following his recent departure from the judiciary's highest office.
Malanjum made history when he was appointed Chief Judge, becoming the first judicial officer from Borneo to hold the position. During his nine-month tenure, he oversaw the nation's court system during a period of considerable institutional importance.
His admission to practise as an advocate and solicitor opens a new chapter in Malanjum's professional life, allowing him to take on private legal work and counsel clients. The move reflects a common career trajectory for senior retired judicial figures in Malaysia and the region, who leverage their extensive legal experience in private practice.
Malanjum's appointment as Chief Judge represented a watershed moment for judicial representation from East Malaysia, breaking with historical precedent that had typically seen the nation's top judicial positions held by peninsular-based judges. His transition to private legal practice brings to a close a distinguished judicial career spanning multiple decades.