KUCHING (Jan 10): The Legal Year 2025 for Sarawak and Sabah commenced today with an impressive ceremonial procession through the heart of Kuching, marking a significant event for Malaysia’s legal community. Approximately 600 members of the legal fraternity, including officials from the Attorney-General’s Chambers, bar lawyers, and senior court judges, participated in the grand march.
Dressed in full regalia, the procession made its way from the historic Old Court House to the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre, showcasing the importance of this annual tradition. Leading the march was Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, accompanied by prominent figures such as Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Seri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim, and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Dato Abdul Rahman Sebli.
The procession also included distinguished guests from Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Brunei, reflecting the regional importance of the event. Upon arrival at the Hikmah Exchange, the gathering heard addresses from key figures including Gurvir Singh Sandhu, president of the Advocates Association of Sarawak, and Mohamed Nazim Maduarin, president of the Sabah Law Society.
Prominent legal figures, such as Sarawak Attorney-General Datu Saferi Ali, Sabah Attorney-General Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh, and Attorney-General Datuk Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, also took to the stage to deliver speeches. The event concluded with a speech by Tan Sri Dato Abdul Rahman Sebli, who officiated the official opening of the 2025 Legal Year.
This annual event, a proud tradition in Commonwealth countries, has profound significance for the legal system. The opening of the legal year celebrates Malaysia’s rich legal heritage, and it was revived in 2010 under the leadership of then-Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi after several years of being discontinued. Since then, it has become a major event marking the beginning of a new judicial year.
