Chief Judge of Malaya Bids Farewell, Says Her Guiding Principle Was to “Always Know How to Enjoy Life”

PUTRAJAYA: On her final day in office, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim shared a rare and personal reflection on the philosophy that guided her throughout her judicial career: despite the heavy demands of the job, she always made room to enjoy life.

“Throughout my years as a judge, I knew how to enjoy life,” she said, explaining that music, dancing, reading, and lighthearted films helped her unwind after long days.

Hasnah, the third-highest-ranking judge in the nation, gave an unusually candid glimpse into her daily routine. She revealed that she enjoys scrolling through TikTok not for drama, she stressed, but for cooking and dance videos.

“I love to cook, and I do it even when I’m working,” she said, adding that her favorite comfort meals include various pasta dishes, from miso and gochujang pasta to the viral “Gigi Hadid pasta,” minus the alcohol.

Married to a man from Negri Sembilan, the 66-year-old said she mastered iconic dishes from the state, including lemak cili padi and sambal tempoyak daun kayu.

As a long-serving judge of 15 years and six months, Hasnah said she often encouraged younger judges to find joy outside work, especially when they felt overwhelmed by their responsibilities.

“Once you know how to manage and balance everything, you’ll be fine,” she said, emphasizing the need for judges to balance home, family, and career.

Hasnah said she hopes to remain connected to the judiciary after retirement, ideally in roles involving training judges or offering administrative support, though she does not intend to return to the bench.

Her last day was filled with mixed emotions. “I am very close to the staff members and officers, so of course I feel sad. But I’m happy and relieved to move on to the next chapter of my life,” she said. “Part one is working; part two will be something different, hopefully.”

Having worked in the Palace of Justice since its opening in 2003, she described her tenure as a fulfilling journey. One of her proudest accomplishments was chairing the Judicial Academy’s training committee, where she helped shape future judges.

Her message for young lawyers and aspiring judges was one of resilience and hard work.

“There are many downs before you can go up. There are many challenges. It doesn’t happen overnight. There is no shortcut. You have to work very hard,” she said.

In a heartfelt farewell ceremony, Hasnah greeted staff, shook hands, posed for photos, and shared emotional moments with colleagues. Following a final prayer, she exited the Palace of Justice at 4.23pm, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter dedicated to joy, balance, and lifelong learning.