Court of Appeal president Md Raus Sharif has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of Malaysia, effective today.

He succeeds Arifin Zakaria who retired as Chief Justice after reaching the age of 66 years and six months.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V consented to the appointment as per Clause (1), Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, on the advice of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and after consultations with the Conference of Rulers.

The statement said that Sultan Muhammad also consented to the appointment of Chief Judge of Malaya Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin as Court of Appeal president, replacing Md Raus.

It added that Federal Court judge Ahmad Maarop was appointed as Chief Judge of Malaya, succeeding Zulkefli.

All the appointments are effective today.

"On behalf of the government, I wish to record my highest appreciation and gratitude to Arifin Zakaria for his service while in office as the Chief Justice," the prime minister said in the statement.

The statement said Sultan Muhammad had also given his consent for the ceremony to present the letters of appointment to the respective justices to be held on Monday (April 3) at 11am at Istana Negara.

The new Chief Justice will also take his oath of office before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong the same day, it added.

- Bernama