Retired judge Hishamudin joins Malay moderate group G25

Retired Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Md Yunus who is well known for making a number of landmark judgments, some of which rattled the establishment, has joined the group of prominent Malay moderates known as G25. Its spokesperson, Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, said in a statement today they were pleased to welcome Hishamudin to their group, adding that he had served the judiciary with distinction. "His courage, independence and fearless integrity in upholding his oath of office will be long remembered and has earned him the respect of not only his peers but of all Malaysians," the former diplomat said. Hishamudin's notable legal pronouncements include striking down as unconstitutional a provision in a Negri Sembilan shariah criminal enactment which punished Muslim men who cross-dressed. In August, Hishamudin led a bench to rule that decisions of native courts in Sabah and Sarawak were subject to judicial review in the High Court. Hishamudin started as a magistrate in Kuala Lumpur in 1973 and served close to 23 years in the High Court and Court of Appeal. He retired last month. – October 7, 2015.