
Bar welcomes new CJ, calls for stronger judiciary
PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Bar and a DAP MP have welcomed the appointment of Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the new chief justice, expressing hope that he will uphold judicial independence.
Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said Wan Ahmad Farid's past actions demonstrated his understanding of the judiciary's role, recalling his decision to recuse himself in 2022 from a high-profile case involving former prime minister Najib Razak.
'He remarked that the 'public perception of the independence of the judiciary should not be put in doubt' and that it is not a 'matter of trial and error'.
'He reminded all that an 'independent judiciary is a precious gift to any society'. Once it is lost, anarchy reigns.
'These statements demonstrate a profound understanding of the judiciary's sacred role in upholding the rule of law,' said Ezri.
Former chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat retired on July 1, while former Court of Appeal president Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim retired on July 3.
Ezri congratulated Abu Bakar Jais on his appointment as Court of Appeal president and Azizah Nawawi as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak.
'We hope that under the stewardship of these new judicial office-bearers, the judiciary will continue to uphold the highest standards of independence, integrity and service to the nation,' he said.
However, Ezri added that many 'current critical vacancies remain unfilled across the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal and High Courts'.
'We remain hopeful these remaining vacancies will be filled promptly and transparently, in a manner that reinforces public confidence in the judiciary and strengthens the administration of justice,' he said.
Separately, MP Syahredzan Johan urged Wan Ahmad Farid to uphold judicial independence.
Noting his previous involvement in politics and his recusal from past cases involving potential conflicts of interest, Syahredzan said Malaysians would hold the new chief justice to his previous principles.
'They will expect the new chief justice to continue recusing himself from hearing cases that may create negative perceptions about the integrity of the judiciary.
'The people have high hopes that Wan Ahmad Farid will continue Tengku Maimun's legacy in ensuring that the judiciary remains free from external interference,' he said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Can the rakyat shape Malaysia's digital privacy rules?
PETALING JAYA: Isn't it better to help shape the rules protecting your data than to learn about them only after they're decided behind closed doors? To this, Malaysian Integrity and Governance Society president Datuk Seri Dr Akhbar Abdul Satar said: 'Transparent rules help maintain public confidence and trust that their data will only be used lawfully and not arbitrarily.' Akhbar said a transparent process makes regulatory changes open to scrutiny and public input, preventing opaque or unilateral policy-making. Including input from service providers, industry players, civil society, and the public leads to more robust and widely accepted policies. He added open consultation fosters trust between the government and the people—trust that is essential when dealing with data rights and digital freedoms. Most importantly, inclusive participation helps identify blind spots, resulting in smarter, more practical solutions for all. 'Whatever law or framework is introduced, human governance is important. Without having good integrity of handlers, it will not be effective,' he told The Star when contacted about the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) announcement on its newly launched open consultation for its Proposed Regulatory Framework. The framework aims to support law enforcement in tackling online threats like fraud, impersonation, and cyberbullying, while also ensuring data privacy through clear legal and operational safeguards. Noting that Malaysia currently lacks a mandatory statutory retention period for electronic data—resulting in variability and uncertainty—Akhbar emphasised the crucial need for a clear legal framework. He said this would enhance the management of communication data retention and disclosure, which are essential to protect citizens' rights by establishing clear boundaries on data access and use, balancing privacy with investigative needs. 'Well-defined regulations establish boundaries for access and use of data, providing safeguards for both citizens' privacy and the integrity of investigations. 'Without clear laws, service providers and law enforcement agencies may implement data practices inconsistently, undermining criminal investigations and legal proceedings. 'Laws clarify what constitutes admissible electronic evidence, ensuring electronic records collected are permissible in Malaysian courts,' he said. Akhbar, former president of Transparency International Malaysia and founder of the Malaysian chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, emphasised that a robust framework will strengthen enforcement agencies' ability to respond to online crimes in several ways including streamlined data access, enhanced collaboration, improved victim protection, and compliance monitoring. 'Clear guidelines ensure that authorities like the police and MCMC know how to lawfully request and obtain data needed for complex cybercrime investigations, such as online fraud and cyberbullying. 'Established procedures foster stronger collaboration among agencies such as the Royal Malaysia Police, attorney general's chambers, and MCMC, as well as with digital platforms, which is vital for quickly tackling online threats.' Pointing out that well-defined reporting and evidence standards aid in securing justice for victims of cyberbullying and scams, Akhbar added a transparent framework helps monitor compliance levels among service providers and identify areas for improvement in law enforcement support. Akhbar opined that striking the right balance between national security and individual privacy requires a careful, principles-based approach. He said data collection for security purposes must be proportionate and strictly necessary, as overreach only erodes public trust, and added that requests for personal data should be subject to judicial oversight or independent review to prevent misuse. Stressing that service providers must operate with clear accountability and robust compliance measures, Akhbar said transparent practices, along with legal protections like the Personal Data Protection Act, are key to ensuring that security measures respect individual rights. On the framework's implementation success, Akhbar said it hinges on resolving key structural and operational challenges. 'Many stakeholders still lack the training and awareness needed to meet new data requirements effectively. Inconsistent legal interpretations, uneven technical capabilities, and weak safeguards heighten the risk of data misuse, particularly when handling cross-border requests.' Stressing the need for a clear, coordinated response, he recommended that comprehensive, regularly updated guidelines must be backed by targeted training. 'Agencies should prioritise secure, interoperable systems, with independent oversight to ensure accountability and uphold data protection standards.' Akhbar urged the public to actively participate in MCMC's public consultations, highlighting the importance of voicing their views on draft codes related to data retention, social media, and messaging platforms. 'These consultations are periodically announced and open to all—including individuals, industry players, and advocacy groups—who are encouraged to submit feedback through official channels such as email or online forms.' He emphasised that details on submission methods and deadlines are regularly published on MCMC's website and in official press releases, making it easy for the public to stay informed and involved.

The Star
21 hours ago
- The Star
‘Shine a spotlight on our semiconductor makers'
Beacon of the region: Anwar (third from left) visiting booths at the Asean Semiconductor Summit 2025, accompanied by Tengku Zafrul (second from left). — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Malaysians must take pride in having not just 'Made in Malaysia' goods but also those that are 'Made by Malaysians' such as semiconductors, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'Our mindset must shift from just having 'Made in Malaysia' products to creating 'Made by Malaysian' products.' 'In terms of growing 10 semiconductor firms with revenue of more than US$1bil and 100 others with revenue less than RM1bil, I am proud to share that Malaysia now has at least 13 homegrown companies (across the semiconductor value chain) emerging as potential national champions. 'Less than 50 years from now, we want Malaysia to be able to look back at this moment as the tipping point when the country began grooming its very own Fortune 500 tech companies.' Malaysia is currently the world's sixth largest exporter of semiconductors. Anwar, who spoke at the closing of the Asean Semiconductor Summit 2025 here yesterday, said investors are always welcome but Malaysia would be more strategic and prudent by choosing partners 'who strengthen our supply chains, transfer their knowledge and technologies, and deliver real value to Malaysians'. He also pointed out that the National Semiconductor Strategy launched last year has proven to be successful as Malaysia has secured more than RM63bil worth of investments for the industry as of March this year. This comprised RM58bil from foreign sources with the rest from domestic sources. 'Our established semiconductor ecosystem is well-poised to help us move beyond an FDI-first model and focus on building homegrown champions. 'We want long-term collaborators who grow with us. The most important target now is to deliver the 10+100. 'This means building 10 Malaysian semiconductor and supply chain companies with revenues between RM1bil and RM4.7bil, and nurturing at least 100 more to approach the RM1bil mark. 'These companies will not only export Malaysian products to the world, but also bring our knowledge, value creation and talent into Asean and the global markets. They will be our flag bearers abroad, rooted at home.' Anwar said more than 60,000 engineers would be created in a partnership between the Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science and Technology under the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry and HRD Corp under the Human Resources Ministry with an allocation of RM1.2bil over five years. He also called on Asean countries to work as a community to address the shortage in skilled workers for the semiconductor industry. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said 'Made by Malaysia' is a vision that requires a whole-of-nation effort. 'Every RM1 spent triggers over RM2 in direct output across the economy – through supply chains, supporting sectors and household incomes. 'In total, the industry generated RM4.9 trillion in economic output last year, underscoring its role as a national multiplier,' he said. He also said Asean countries must move beyond fragmented efforts and instead embrace a collective 'race to the top,' leveraging each nation's unique strengths.


Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Kg Sungai Baru redevelopment starts next year, says FT minister
Kampung Sungai Baru's redevelopment was first initiated in 2016, but has been stalled largely due to legal issues, compensation disputes and disagreements among its residents. PETALING JAYA : The long-delayed redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru is now expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, says federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. In a written parliamentary reply, she said the project's layout and building plans have been approved, and the developer is currently securing other technical clearances from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and relevant agencies. 'The project is expected to be launched soon, with construction set to begin in the first quarter of 2026,' she said in response to Azman Nasrudin (PN-Padang Serai), who asked for details about the redevelopment. The new timeline marks a delay from a commitment made by Zaliha in 2024, when she told Parliament that construction would begin in the first quarter of 2025. Kampung Sungai Baru's redevelopment was first initiated in 2016, but has been stalled largely due to legal issues, compensation disputes and disagreements among its residents. Zaliha also said that the land acquisition application under the Land Acquisition Act 1960 was submitted by the developer in October 2020 and subsequently approved by the federal territories land working committee. Gazettement of the acquisition, involving 110 properties, including 37 terrace lots, 72 flats, and a Tenaga Nasional Berhad substation, was carried out in June 2021 under Sections 4 and 8 of the Act, for residential and commercial use.