The nation’s first woman chief judge of Malaya, Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob, has passed away at the age of 85.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Siti Norma Yaakob has died at the age of 85. She passed away at KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital this afternoon.

Her son, Meor Amri Meor Ayob, confirmed the news to Bernama. He said his mother died at 1.51 pm due to pneumonia.

Born in Seremban on July 6, 1940, Siti Norma was a trailblazer in the Malaysian judiciary. She was the first woman in the country to be appointed as a High Court Judge.

She also made history as the first woman to become a Court of Appeal Judge and a Federal Court Judge. Her landmark appointment as Chief Judge of Malaya was another first for a woman.

Her pioneering career extended beyond Malaysia’s borders. In 2008, she became the first female judge from Malaysia appointed to the Dubai International Financial Centre Court.

— More to come

 The Sun Malaysia