
King appoints Wan Ahmad Farid as new Chief Justice
The appointments were made in accordance with Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, following the advice of the Prime Minister and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers, said the Office of the Federal Court Chief Registrar in a statement.
Also appointed are Federal Court judges Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as the President of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as the Chief Judge of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak, replacing the outgoing Chief Judge who is set to retire.
The official swearing-in and presentation of the appointment letters will take place on July 28 at Istana Negara, before the King.
Previously, Wan Ahmad Farid was said to be the front-runner for the Chief Justice post.
Wan Ahmad Farid was appointed to the Court of Appeal on Nov 12, 2024.
The 62-year-old was previously deputy home minister from March 19, 2008 to April 9, 2009.
Wan Ahmad Farid also contested in the Kuala Terengganu state by-election in 2009 but lost.
In 2013, Wan Ahmad Farid, a former Umno member, announced his retirement from politics.
Among the more recent cases he has presided over are the application for a judicial review by the parents of Teoh Beng Hock against the police and Tun Daim Zainuddin's challenge against his probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim has temporarily assumed the role of Chief Justice.
The post has been left vacant without any announcement of a successor following Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat's mandatory retirement on July 2.
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The Star
19 minutes ago
- The Star
Malaysian Bar praises appointment of Justice Wan Ahmad Farid as Chief Justice
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Bar has commended the announcement of Court of Appeal judge Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the new Chief Justice, highlighting his commitment to judicial independence. Bar president Mohamad Ezri b Abdul Wahab (pic) recalled a 2022 case where Justice Wan Ahmad Farid recused himself from a high-profile matter involving the admission of Queen's Counsel Jonathan Laidlaw in a case concerning former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. In June 2022, Justice Wan Ahmad Farid stepped down from hearing the application by Laidlaw, who intended to represent Najib in his final appeal regarding the misappropriation of RM42mil belonging to SRC International Sdn Bhd. Justice Wan Ahmad Farid had recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest, as a family member was an active politician in the same party as Najib. He emphasised the importance of maintaining public confidence in the judiciary, stating, "The public perception of the independence of the judiciary should not be put in doubt," and reminded all that "an independent judiciary is a precious gift to any society." Mohamad Ezri noted that these statements reflect a deep understanding of the judiciary's sacred role in upholding the rule of law. "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, reaching greater heights," he said. The Bar also congratulated Justice Datuk Abu Bakar Jais on his appointment as the Court of Appeal president and Justice Datuk Azizah Nawawi as the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. Despite welcoming these appointments, Mohamad Ezri expressed concern over ongoing vacancies in the Federal Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court, urging for them to be filled promptly and transparently. Veteran lawyer Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu described Justice Wan Ahmad Farid's appointment as "unprecedented" in Malaysia's judiciary, noting his experience in the High Court and Appellate Court. "Interesting times," Baljit remarked, hinting at the challenges and opportunities ahead for the new Chief Justice. The Federal Court Chief Registrar's Office confirmed on Friday (July 18) that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has approved the three judicial appointments, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for July 28.


New Straits Times
19 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Bar hails new Chief Justice with track record of upholding judicial integrity
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Bar has welcomed the appointment of Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the new Chief Justice of Malaysia, saying it hopes that it will strengthen the judiciary, given his demonstrated commitment to judicial integrity and independence. Malaysian Bar president Mohamad Ezri Abdul Wahab said Wan Ahmad Farid's past conduct — particularly his 2022 decision to recuse himself from a sensitive case and his strong remarks on judicial independence — reflected a deep commitment to upholding the rule of law and preserving public confidence in the judiciary. "The Malaysian Bar recalls that, in 2022, Wan Ahmad Farid recused himself from hearing a high-profile matter concerning the admission of Queen's Counsel Jonathan Laidlaw in a case involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. "In doing so, he made several significant statements on the importance of public confidence in the judiciary, stating that the perception of judicial independence must not be placed in doubt, and that it is not a matter of trial and error. "He also reminded that an independent judiciary is a precious gift to any society — and once it is lost, anarchy reigns. "These statements demonstrate a profound understanding of the judiciary's sacred role in upholding the rule of law. 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 in a statement today. Last night, the Chief Registrar's Office announced that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, had consented to Wan Ahmad Farid's appointment in accordance with Article 122B(1) of the Federal Constitution. Wan Ahmad Farid succeeds Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2. Datuk Abu Bakar Jais has been appointed as the President of the Court of Appeal, while Datuk Azizah Nawawi has been named the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. Commenting further, Ezri said that while these appointments were much welcomed after months of uncertainty and anticipation, the Bar remained hopeful that outstanding vacancies across the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Court would be filled promptly and transparently. "We are relieved by the announcement of Wan Ahmad Farid as the new Chief Justice. We extend our congratulations and wish him every success in leading the judiciary with distinction, courage and unwavering commitment to justice. "We also congratulate Abu Bakar on being appointed President of the Court of Appeal, and Azizah as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. "We remain hopeful that the remaining vacancies in the Federal Court, Court of Appeal and High Court will be filled without delay, and in a manner that reinforces public confidence in the judiciary and strengthens the administration of justice."


Free Malaysia Today
22 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Spontaneous assemblies part and parcel of democratic life, Saifuddin told
Suaram executive director Azura Nasron said the absence of criminal penalties for non-notification did not eliminate the possibility of prior notice altogether. PETALING JAYA : A civil rights NGO has accused home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail of overstating the impact of spontaneously organised peaceful assemblies on police operations, noting that such gatherings are 'part and parcel of democratic life'. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) executive director Azura Nasron said it was of great concern that Saifuddin believes the Federal Court decision to strike down Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act (PAA) 2012 had weakened police capacity to manage assemblies. 'The constitutional right to assemble cannot – and should not – be made contingent on police convenience. 'Saifuddin's claim misconstrues the court's decision and overstates the operational impact. Police forces are expected to plan adaptively, respond proportionately, and rely on discretion and intelligence – not blanket deployments,' she said in a statement today. On July 1, the apex court struck down the PAA provision criminalising the failure to give police 10 days' notice before holding an assembly, saying it contravened the constitutional right to peaceful assembly. Yesterday, Saifuddin said while the government respected and would uphold the court's decision, the ruling limited the ability of the police to plan and ensure the smooth running of assemblies. He said prior notice helps the police plan effectively, including knowing the time, location, estimated crowd size and number of personnel required. 'This isn't about restricting anyone's rights. It's about facilitating assemblies. Without advance notice, the police are forced to mobilise all available resources just to prepare for unknown scenarios,' he said. However, Azura rejected Saifuddin's defence of legally required prior notice, saying the 'absence of criminal penalties for non-notification does not eliminate the possibility of prior notice altogether'. 'Suggesting otherwise implies a false choice between facilitation and chaos, and undermines public confidence in the police's ability to facilitate assemblies efficiently while upholding constitutional freedoms,' she said. Azura also panned Saifuddin's statement that organisers were still required to obtain permission from venue owners under Section 11 of the PAA, saying it contradicted Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's announcement in February of a moratorium related to the section. 'The government must urgently clarify its position on the enforcement of Section 11, as continued ambiguity risks misleading organisers and deterring legitimate assemblies,' she said.