PM: Conference of Rulers expected to announce new Chief Justice today
He also confirmed having met with the Conference of Rulers on Tuesday morning.
"I had a lengthy discussion with the Conference of Rulers, and it is best to let them decide. God willing, there will be a clear announcement tomorrow (today) that will dispel all negative perceptions," he said during his keynote address at Malaysia's International Conference on Governance and Integrity 2025, here, yesterday.
The prime minister also acknowledged public concern over the delay in appointing the chief justice and the negative perceptions surrounding the matter.
"There is a perception that some appointments to key positions in the judiciary may appear to be compromised or tainted.
"Certain candidates have reportedly been questioned or doubted by some quarters, but I can assure you that this is not the case.
"And the names that have been questioned or viewed with suspicion were never even submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Conference of Rulers.
"So I am closing this chapter, and I hope, God willing, when the announcement is made, it will prove that the Madani Government is committed to reforms, including upholding the principle of judicial independence," he said.
Additionally, he emphasised that he has never discussed any court cases with any judge, to preserve the principle of judicial independence.
"I have never discussed any case with any judge, whether with the chief justice or other judges. I remain committed to the principle of judicial independence," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
a few seconds ago
- Malay Mail
Wan Ahmad Farid named Malaysia's 17th Chief Justice, swearing in set for July 28
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — On July 28, Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh will be sworn in as the country's 17th Chief Justice, succeeding Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2. This followed an announcement by the Office of the Chief Registrar of the Federal Court in a statement released late yesterday. Hailing from Kuala Terengganu, the 62-year-old jurist was appointed to the Court of Appeal on Nov 12 last year. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) from the University of West London, earned in 1985, and obtained a Certificate in Legal Practice (Hons) from Universiti Malaya in 1986. He began his legal career as an advocate and solicitor with Messrs Adnan & Wee in Kuala Terengganu, serving from 1987 to 2003. Beyond his legal career, Wan Ahmad Farid has been active in public administration and politics. He served as political secretary to former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from 2003 to 2008, before being appointed Deputy Home Minister from 2008 to 2009. He returned to legal practice between 2011 and 2015 as a partner at Messrs Wan Farid & Surin in Kuala Lumpur. Wan Ahmad Farid began his judicial career in 2015 as a Judicial Commissioner, serving in the High Courts of Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur, and Kota Bharu until 2019. He was then elevated to High Court Judge from 2019 to 2024, with postings in Kota Bharu, Shah Alam (Special Powers Division), and Kuala Lumpur (Special Powers Division 3). In 2024, he played a key role in a landmark ruling involving a constitutional suit filed by lawyer Dr Syed Iskandar Syed Jaafar Al Mahdzar, which challenged the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in declaring a state of emergency. In his judgment, Wan Ahmad Farid held that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's authority to declare an emergency under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution is a prerogative power that is non-justiciable and beyond the court's review. Wan Ahmad Farid was also among the members of the panel of judges who heard a case involving a dispute over 263.272 acres of land dubbed 'Duta Enclave' involving Semantan Estate Sdn Bhd in the Federal Court. — Bernama
New Straits Times
a few seconds ago
- New Straits Times
At 100, Dr Mahathir says advisory role in PN better than PM
ALOR STAR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has no intention of returning as prime minister for a third time, saying he would instead serve in an advisory role should Perikatan Nasional (PN) come to power. Dr Mahathir said his age no longer allowed him to take on front-line leadership, but his decades of experience in politics could still serve the nation. "I'm old now… a hundred years old. I can't give fiery speeches like I used to. I'm not here to take the place of the younger generation. "I'm not looking to become prime minister again. But I do want to offer advice. "I've been prime minister for 24 years and involved in politics for over 80 years," he told a crowd at the Himpunan Mandat Negarawanrally at Stadium Suka Menanti yesterday. Also present were Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor. Dr Mahathir said Malaysia was a resource-rich country and that poverty should not exist if national assets were managed prudently. "This country is rich. Everyone should be wealthy. But if we don't know how to make full use of the assets we have, we will never progress," he said. He added that a PN-led administration would make eradicating poverty a top priority, claiming the current government had failed to do so. "As a government, our focus must be on resolving poverty. PN can do it. We can reduce poverty. That's our hope, that's the purpose of our gathering tonight." Dr Mahathir said that, should PN take over Putrajaya, its leadership would be one that listened to advice. "If there is a change in government, we will have a prime minister who is willing to listen to advice. I believe, if that happens, many issues can be resolved," he said. The rally was described by PN leaders as a curtain-raiser for a larger gathering scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on July 26, aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down.
Focus Malaysia
a few seconds ago
- Focus Malaysia
Political past, ‘past-midnight' announcement mar Wan Farid's appointment as new Chief Justice
THAT the Chief Justice post vacancy following the retirement of Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat has finally been filled by Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh does not seem to augur well with some quarters. According to a statement from the Chief Registrar's Office, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has consented to Wan Farid's appointment at the advice of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in accordance with Article 122B(1) of the Federal Constitution. The 62-yrear-old who was made a Court of Appeal Judge on Nov 12 last year had previously been appointment as a Hugh Court judge on Aug 8, 2019 and a judiciary commissioner 0n Dec 16, 2015. Also named in the statement are Datuk Abu Bakar Jais who would assume the post of Court of Appeal president and Datuk Azizah Nawawi who has been appointed as the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. At a glance, the Terengganu-born Wan Farid has experience serving in all three main branches of the government, namely legislative, executive and judicial. This is given he had served ss a Dewan Negara senator (2005-2009) and deputy home minister (2008-2009) prior to being made a High Court judge in 2019. However, the sticking point is that he is seen by detractors as not being apolitical in that he was the Kuala Terengganu UMNO deputy chief in 2001 and had even contested in the Kuala Terengganu state by-election in 2009 but lost. In 2013, Wan Farid, announced that he was retiring from politics. Previous rulings Among his notable rulings was recusing himself from hearing an application to allow a Queen's Counsel (QC) from the UK to represent former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the appeal over the RM42 mil SRC International corruption case. Back then, Wan Farid cited a conflict of interest, noting that a family member was affiliated with Najib's political party. This has apparently given rise to concerns as to whether Wan Farid's past affiliation with UMNO would have bearing in his future judgment given the fact that 'tonnes of Najib cases are coming his way for final appeals' and if 'UMNO may have the upper hand here'. Elsewhere, former DAP Bukit Bintang MP-turned-Madani government critic Wee Choo Keong berated the 'past midnight' revelation of Wan Farid's appointment. 'The announcement was quietly slipped out after midnight at about 12:15am (July 18) on Instagram. In a few minutes it was removed! A few minutes later it was reposted!' he penned on X while praising Wan Farid for having 'a good judicial temperament & being a good judge'. YAA Datuk Wan Farid Bin Wan Salleh is now Chief Justice — but the announcement was quietly slipped out after midnight at about 12:15 am on Instagram. In a few minutes it was removed! A few minutes later it was reposted! This is a disgrace. A top judicial appointment deserves… — Wee Choo Keong (@weechookeong) July 17, 2025 'This is a disgrace. A top judicial appointment deserves transparency, not a stealth drop. Someone, somewhere is making a mockery of this crucial post!' Moving forward, the presentation of letters of appointment, oath-taking and signing of the oath of office and oath of allegiance ceremony before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will be held on July 28 at Istana Negara. – July 18, 2025
