Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Richard Malanjum has downplayed speculation of him being nominated as the country's next chief justice.

The Borneo Post quoted Malanjum telling reporters "No lah, it is just cerita dongeng (fairy tale)" when asked if his name was one of those proposed to replace Chief Justice Md Raus Sharif, whose resignation takes effect at the end of the month.

He was queried on the matter at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly in Kuching today, where he had earlier led a group of state High Court judges in a courtesy call on Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg.

Malanjum declined to take further questions, said the report.

Earlier today, The Edge had reported that Malanjum's name was among those submitted by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to the Conference of Rulers for the top four posts of the country's judiciary.

Quoting sources, the report said that Malanjum had been nominated for the CJ's post, along with Ahmad Maarop for Court of Appeal president, Zaharah Ibrahim for chief judge of the High Court in Malaya, and Stephen Ching Hian Guan for chief judge of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak.

The 65-year-old Malanjum is the most senior Federal Court judge and previously served as Federal Court and Court of Appeal judge.