Md Raus Sharif is set to become among the shortest-serving chief justices in Malaysian history but his brief tenure has been a controversial one as well.

Rising to the top post on April 4, 2017, Raus was already near the mandatory retirement age of 66 years and six months.

This would have only seen him in the position for 122 days, making him the shortest serving chief justice.

However, the previous BN government, in a controversial manoeuvre, sought to extend Md Raus' tenure beyond the constitutionally allowed age limit.

The Prime Minister's Office claimed Raus' immediate predecessor Arifin Zakaria had recommended him as an "additional judge". Raus’ tenure would, therefore, commence from Aug 4, 2017, and last for three years.

This was despite Arifin retiring on March 31, 2017. The same method was also used to extend Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin's tenure as Court of Appeal president beyond the constitutional age limit.