Malaysia’s former chief justice, Tun Md Raus Sharif, has named the members of his independent investigation committee, which is probing the documentation issue involving seven ‘heritage’ players.
In a statement to the media earlier this evening, Raus, who chairs the committee, said his team, comprising secretary Datuk Thavalingam C. Thavarajah, and committee members Datuk Seri Kamaludin Md Said, and Datuk Seri Dr Yusof Ismail, met for the first time today and “will endeavor to complete the investigation and prepare a report for the FA of Malaysia (FAM) within six weeks.”
Fans remain on the edge of their seats, awaiting Fifa’s decision following FAM’s appeal against sanctions by the world body over allegations of ‘doctored documentation‘ involving seven footballers. The footballers – Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, and Hector Heve were banned for 12 months while FAM was slapped a CHF 350,000 fine. Fifa is expected to announce its decision soon.
Raus said that to avoid any conflict of interest, the administrative facilities and secretariat assistance will be provided by Messrs. Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak (Advocates & Solicitors). He added the committee will not receive any form of remuneration in the discharge of their duties.
The four committee members:
1) Tun Md Raus Sharif (Chairman)
Raus began his legal career in 1976 as an officer in the Judicial and Legal Service, where he held various posts, including Magistrate, President of the Session Court, Deputy Public Prosecutor, and Legal Advisor to the Trade Ministry, Defence Ministry, and Home Affairs Ministry. He had also served as the State Legal Advisor for Melaka and Kelantan. His last posting with the Judicial and Legal Service was as the Treasury Solicitor with the Finance Ministry before he was appointed as a Judicial Commissioner of the High Court on Nov 1, 1994.
On Jan 12, 1996, Raus was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Malaya. He was then elevated to the Court of Appeal on July 28, 2008. On Oct 14, 2009, Raus ascended the ladder of his judicial career to the Federal Court. On Sept 12, 2011, he was appointed to the post of President of the Court of Appeal. Raus reached the pinnacle of his judicial career when he assumed office as the 14th Chief Justice of Malaysia on April 1, 2017.
On the international front, Raus served as the president of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions. He was also an active participating member of the Council of Asean Chief Justices.
2) Datuk Seri Kamaludin Md Said
Kamaludin started his professional career as an administrative officer at Bank Negara Malaysia from 1983 to 1985 before entering legal practice. In 1987, he joined the public service as a Magistrate in Batu Gajah, Perak.
From 1988 to 2012, he served in the Attorney General’s Chambers, progressing from Senior Federal Counsel, Deputy Public Prosecutor, and Deputy Head of Civil Division to the Head of the Trial and Appellate Division. During this period, he also served as legal adviser to the Home Affairs Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry.
From 2012 until 2016, he was appointed as a Judicial Commissioner of the High Court of Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, and subsequently as a High Court Judge in Seremban and Kuala Lumpur. His judicial career concluded with his appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal, a position he held from 2018 until his retirement in June 2024.
He currently serves as a Trustee of D8 (Islamic Countries) Malaysian Foundation, a senior partner at Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak, Chairman of the Advocates and Solicitors Disciplinary Board, and is an independent non-executive director of a public-listed company.
3) Datuk Seri Dr Yusof Ismail
Yusof was the former Director-General of Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit between 2020 and 2023. He was an administrative and diplomatic officer with more than 35 years of experience, majoring in economics and finance, public sector strategic management, and digital government.
He also served on the board of various organisations, including Digital Nasional Bhd, Felda, Agrobank, and Malaysia Airlines Bhd.
4) Datuk Thavalingam C. Thavarajah (Secretary)
Thavalingam was called to the Malaysian Bar in 1990, prior to which, he was admitted as a Barrister-at-law at Gray’s Inn. He authored, co-authored, and contributed to numerous publications such as, ‘Employment Termination Law & Practice Malaysia: A Practical Guide,’ and ‘Employment & Industrial Relations Law Malaysia.’
Thavalingam has also been involved in the restructuring of government-linked companies. He was also appointed by the Malaysian government as a member of the National Labour Advisory Council during his tenure as Malaysian Employers Federation Honorary Secretary.
