Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Law Society (SLS) welcomed the appointment of former Sabah State Attorney-General Datuk Mariati Robert (pic) to the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), saying it marks a step forward in recognising Sabah’s legal experience.
SLS President Datuk Mohamed Nazim Maduarin said Mariati, who was admitted to the Sabah Bar nearly five decades ago, brought extensive legal experience and a deep understanding of Sabah’s laws, institutions and communities to the commission.
Mariati was appointed alongside Tan Sri Idrus Harun, Tan Sri Zainun Ali and Professor Dr Hartini Saripan for the term from Nov 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2028.
Mohamed Nazim further said Sabah’s distinct legal heritage was among the foundations on which Malaysia was established and deserved a sustained place in institutions shaping the administration of justice nationwide.
He said the selection of judges required an understanding of the people they served, the laws they applied and the different conditions in which justice was delivered.
Bringing these perspectives into the process would strengthen national institutions, it said.
He noted that Mariati would serve as an independent member of the commission, with her experience contributing to its deliberations alongside the shared responsibility of upholding merit, integrity and judicial independence.
On behalf of the society, Mohamed Nizam said he hoped the appointment would lead to lasting institutional arrangements that ensured Sabah’s legal experience continued to inform the judicial appointments process in future terms.
“Today gives us reason to believe that progress is possible. The responsibility now is to make it last,” said Mohamed Nazim.
