Latest news with #judicialappointment
Malay Mail
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Anwar denies last-minute switch in CJ pick, says vilified for one week just because process was still ongoing
PUTRAJAYA, July 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reportedly denied claims of a last-minute change in the proposed candidate for Chief Justice. He said today that the appointment had already been submitted and approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong earlier in accordance with the Federal Constitution. 'They said the [judicial] system was compromised. There were those who wanted to politicise the issue,' he said at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister's Department as quoted by New Straits Times. 'For a week, we were criticised, with claims that the prime minister did not respond. How could I respond at that time when the [judicial appointment] process was still ongoing?' He explained that under Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, the appointment of the Chief Justice requires the prime minister's recommendation and the King's consent after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. Court of Appeal Judge Wan Ahmad Farid will be sworn in as the country's 17th Chief Justice on July 28, succeeding Tengku Maimun, who retired on July 2. Datuk Abu Bakar Jais has been appointed as the new president of the Court of Appeal, while Datuk Azizah Nawawi has been appointed Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak. Anwar said earlier this week that 8 newly appointed Court of Appeal judges and 14 High Court judges are scheduled to be sworn in on July 28, with no judges removed. The appointments came following a purported leak from a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting, which came hot on the heels of allegations that there had been attempts to influence the appointments of new judges. The claim later prompted nine government backbenchers to call for a Royal Commission of Inquiry, with Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirming an investigation into the matter.
Malay Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Judicial reforms must not end just because new Chief Justice named, PKR MPs led by Rafizi tells govt
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Several PKR MPs have reminded the government today that the need to strengthen the judicial appointment process continues, despite the finalised top judicial appointments yesterday. In a statement, they said the recent leadership crisis in the judiciary must not recur, and called for the immediate appointment of judges to fill 31 vacancies to avoid disruptions in judicial administration. 'The recent leadership crisis in the judiciary highlights the need for reforms to strengthen the judicial appointment process, to prevent similar issues from recurring. 'We urge the administration of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim not to consider this matter fully resolved until improvements to the judicial appointment process are presented to the public and implemented.' said the nine MPs led by former PKR deputy president Datuk Rafizi Ramli. They noted that reactions to Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh's appointment as the Chief Justice has been mixed, pointing to his background as a former Umno leader and the perception that he is a more junior judge. However, they hoped that Wan Ahmad Farid will accept criticisms to guide and motivate him to defend the independence of the judiciary, to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat. They stressed that appointments must be based on merit and seniority, in line with the Federal Constitution and the Judicial Appointments Committee (JAC) Act — warning against any interference aimed at orchestrating or influencing judicial appointments. The group also urged follow-up action on unresolved issues raised in Judicial Appointments Commission meetings, including allegations of attempts to influence court decisions. Proposals raised included limiting the Prime Minister's rejection powers, automatic JAC appointments from legal fraternities, and involving Parliament in confirming nominations. Besides Pandan MP Rafizi, the statement was jointly signed by Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa), Wong Chen (Subang), Rodziah Ismail (Ampang), Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju), Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Ledang), S. Kesavan (Sungai Siput), and Onn Abu Bakar (Batu Pahat). Court of Appeal Judge Wan Ahmad Farid will be sworn in as the country's 17th Chief Justice on July 28, succeeding Tengku Maimun, who retired on July 2. Datuk Abu Bakar Jais has been appointed as the new president of the Court of Appeal, while Datuk Azizah Nawawi has been appointed Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak.
Malay Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Abu Bakar Jais to helm Court of Appeal, replacing retired Abang Iskandar
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Federal Court judge Datuk Abu Bakar Jais has been appointed as the new president of the Court of Appeal, replacing Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim who retired on July 3. Abu Bakar, 63, brings with him over three decades of experience in legal and judicial service. He began his judicial career as a Judicial Commissioner at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 8, 2013. He was then appointed as a High Court judge on March 21, 2016, and served in both the Kuala Lumpur and Seremban High Courts until 2019. On December 5, 2019, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal, and later to the Federal Court on June 13, 2023. Born in Muar, Johor, Abu Bakar graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Universiti Malaya (1982-1986) and later obtained a Certificate in Government Legal Advisers Course from the University of London in 1996. His career spans various roles in the legal and judicial sectors, including stints as a law tutor at the International Islamic University Malaysia (1986-1987), deputy public prosecutor at the Attorney General's Chambers and the Anti-Corruption Agency (1987-1990), magistrate in Ipoh (1990), and assistant director at the Legal Aid Bureau (1991). Abu Bakar also served as federal counsel in the Civil Division of the Attorney General's Chambers (1992-1995) and as senior federal counsel until 2000. In private practice, he was a litigation partner at Zaid Ibrahim & Co. (2001-2003) and later at Hisham, Sobri & Kadir (2004-2013). Abu Bakar was part of the Federal Court panel in 2023 that ruled on former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's application for a review of his conviction and 12-year prison sentence over the misappropriation of RM42 million from SRC International Sdn Bhd. He also sat on the panel that decided the appeal involving SIS Forum (Malaysia). — Bernama
Malay Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- 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
Associated Press
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Gov. Kemp appoints Court of Appeals Judge Benjamin Land to the Georgia Supreme Court
The Nathan Deal Judicial Center, home of Georgia's Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, is seen on May, 1, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Kate Brumback, File) Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's governor on Thursday announced the appointment of a new justice to fill a vacant seat on the state's highest court. Gov. Brian Kemp said Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Benjamin Land will fill the spot on the Georgia Supreme Court left by former Chief Justice Michael Boggs, who stepped down at the end of March to return to private practice. Land has served on the state's intermediate appeals court since July 2022 and was previously a superior court judge in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. 'Judge Land has earned the respect of his peers and hardworking Georgians through his commitment to fairness and impartiality, his strong work ethic, and his integrity,' Kemp said in a news release. 'His extensive experience as a former litigator and judge will make him a valuable addition to the Supreme Court as he continues his service to the people of our state.' Before becoming a judge, Land was an attorney in private practice in Columbus for about 26 years who specialized in complex civil litigation. He has also served in numerous community organizations. A 'double dawg,' he earned both an undergraduate degree and a law degree from the University of Georgia. Supreme Court Chief Justice Nels Peterson welcomed Land. 'His background and experience, including years as a state appellate judge, trial court judge, and litigator, position him well to serve on the state's highest court,' Peterson said in a statement. 'My fellow Justices and I look forward to working with him.'
