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Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Man probed over ‘offensive' post on royals, CJ appointment
The suspect having his statement recorded by the MCMC enforcement officer at the Kampung Melayu Subang police station. (MCMC pic) PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission is investigating a man for posting an allegedly offensive social media comment on the royal institution involving the recent appointment of the chief justice. MCMC said the man had his statement recorded at the Kampung Melayu Subang police station on July 21. His mobile phone and SIM card were seized to assist in the investigation. The case is being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities, punishable by a maximum RM500,000 fine, up to two years in jail, or both, upon conviction. In a statement, MCMC reminded the public to avoid sharing content that is offensive, seditious or defamatory, particularly those involving the royal institution, as it could threaten public order and national harmony. Last Friday, it said it was investigating another person for allegedly uploading offensive remarks about the judiciary. Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh was appointed chief justice last week, replacing Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired earlier this month. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also consented to the appointments of Justices Abu Bakar Jais and Azizah Nawawi as Court of Appeal president and chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak, respectively.
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Is Wan Ahmad Farid's appointment with reformist intent?
Ibrahim M Ahmad There can be no doubt that the appointment of Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the country's new chief justice has raised many eyebrows. The talk in town over the last couple of days—when rumours of his appointment were rife—was that his name came out of nowhere, especially because he is not one of the sitting Federal Court judge. In fact, Wan Ahmad Farid is one of the more junior Court of Appeal judges. He ranks 26th among the 29 judges of the Court of Appeal in terms of seniority. He has been a judge for close to 10 years. He was appointed judicial commissioner in 2015, and High Court judge in 2019. He was elevated to the appeals court on Nov 12 last year. Indeed, his has been a meteoric rise, suggesting that the prime minister and the Conference of Rulers believe him to be the right man to lead the judiciary at a pivotal moment. But in what sense? Is this appointment made with reformist intent? One thing that it does show is that rumours of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recommending former attorney-general Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh for the post were wide of the mark. Likewise, no one can claim that Wan Ahmad Farid was a political appointment by Anwar. After all, Wan Ahmad Farid is an Umno man. That should put to rest once and for all accusations that the prime minister has been meddling with the judiciary. Wan Ahmad Farid's trajectory has been unusual: political aide to then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (2003-2008); senator (2005-2009); deputy home minister (2008-2009). In 2009 he contested a by-election for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat, but lost to a PAS candidate. He then returned to law practice before being appointed a judicial commissioner. Lawyers tend to champion longevity in service and seniority when identifying their preferred candidates for the top post. Wan Ahmad Farid has neither. That has left many wondering what he will bring. Some fear his political background will see him cozy up to the executive, but to his credit, Wan Ahmad Farid has previously recused himself from hearing politically sensitive cases involving Anwar and Najib Razak, citing public perception and judicial integrity. The hope is that he will bring transformation, like Zaki Azmi and Yong Pung How did. Zaki's appointment as lord president was just as contentious, maybe even more so. A practising lawyer, he was appointed directly to the Federal Court bench in September 2007, made president of the Court of Appeal by December, and took over as lord president in October 2008. At the time, his appointment was heavily criticised, given his close links to Umno. Yet Zaki's tenure was marked by aggressive reform. He tackled case backlogs, monitored judicial output, introduced the electronic filing system, streamlined court procedures, and implemented regular judicial training. He was also one of the main movers of the Judicial Appointments Commission, established in 2009, aimed at depoliticising judicial selection. Was Wan Ahmad Farid the JAC's pick? That information is not in the public domain. Yong Pung How's appointment as Singapore's chief justice was just as unconventional. A partner at Shook Lin & Bok until 1970, Yong left the legal profession to join the banking sector, and went on to become managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Handpicked by then prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, he returned to the judiciary in 1989 and was appointed chief justice the following year. Yong brought in a host of changes to a then sluggish judiciary. He modernised the Singapore legal system by introducing electronic filing, and sped up the disposal of cases by reforming processes at all levels. Wan Ahmad Farid will serve as chief justice until November 2028, when he turns 66, the mandatory retirement age for judges. That gives him slightly more than three years in office. How he makes his mark is left to be seen. Ibrahim M Ahmad is an FMT reader. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Bloomberg
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Malaysia Names New Top Judge, Ending Prolonged Vacancy
Malaysia appointed Court of Appeal judge Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the new chief justice of the Federal Court, ending a two-week vacancy that had sparked concerns over the independence of the judiciary. The appointment was among several approved by Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, following the advice of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and consultation with the Conference of Rulers, the office of the Federal Court's chief registrar said in a statement. The decision was made after a three-day meeting among Malaysia's nine monarchs that concluded Thursday in Kuala Lumpur.
South China Morning Post
18-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Malaysia appoints new chief justice, but judicial crisis is not over yet
Malaysia on Friday named Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as its new chief justice, ending weeks of uncertainty over the country's top judicial post. However, his past political ties, including to former prime minister Najib Razak , have raised concerns about judicial independence. Advertisement The Court of Appeal judge was named Malaysia's 11th chief justice in a government statement released just after midnight, alongside Abu Bakar Jais as president of the Court of Appeal and Azizah Nawawi as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak, filling three of the judiciary's most senior vacancies. Their appointments follow a Wednesday meeting of the Conference of Rulers, a council of state sultans and governors whose role is to scrutinise the nominations. Abu Bakar Jais is Malaysia's new Court of Appeal president. Photo: Malaysian Judiciary 'The ceremony of presenting the letters of appointment and taking and signing the oath of office and allegiance before the king will be held on July 28 at the Istana Negara,' said the statement from the chief registrar of the Federal Court.
Free Malaysia Today
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Wan Ahmad Farid is Malaysia's new chief justice
Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh has also been elevated to the Federal Court to allow him to helm the highest office in the judiciary. (Wikipedia pic) PETALING JAYA : Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh has been appointed as Malaysia's new chief justice, taking over the post from Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat who retired earlier this month. In a statement, the office of the chief registrar said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had also consented to Abu Bakar Jais's appointment as president of the Court of Appeal and Azizah Nawawi's appointment as Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. They will be sworn in and presented their letters of appointment at Istana Negara on July 28. The statement said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong consented to the appointments on the advice of the prime minister and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers, which is in line with Article 122B of the Federal Constitution. Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim is currently serving as acting chief justice following the retirement of Tengku Maimun, while Federal Court judge Zabariah Yusof is acting Court of Appeal president after Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim retired two weeks ago. Wan Ahmad Farid, a Court of Appeal judge, has also been elevated to the Federal Court to allow him to helm the highest office in the judiciary. He was appointed as a judicial commissioner in December 2015 before being elevated to the High Court in 2019 and then the Court of Appeal in November 2024. Wan Ahmad Farid served as the political secretary to former prime minister, the late Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and was an Umno member. However, he quit politics in 2013. The 62-year-old had also served as a deputy home minister for just over a year, between 2008 and 2009, and was a senator from 2005-2009. In 2009, Wan Ahmad Farid was the Barisan Nasional candidate in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election but lost to PAS's Abdul Wahid Endut. Abu Bakar, 63, started his career in the Attorney-General's Chambers before going into private practice. He was appointed judicial commissioner in 2013 and elevated as High Court Judge three years later. Abu Bakar was promoted to the Court of Appeal in December 2019 and to the Federal Court in June 2023. Azizah is the first woman to be appointed Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. She will replace Abdul Rahman Sebli, who is set to retire on July 24. Azizah has served at the Court of Appeal since August 2019. She was made judicial commissioner in November 2012 and elevated to the High Court in September 2014.
