Three former Chief Justices back Wan Ahmad Farid's appointment as new CJ, confident he has what it takes

Three former Chief Justices back Wan Ahmad Farid's appointment as new CJ, confident he has what it takes


Three former Chief Justices back Wan Ahmad Farid's appointment as new CJ, confident he has what it takes

By Hafiz Yatim / theedgemalaysia.com
18 Jul 2025, 01:00 pm

Updated - 03:02 pm

Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh


KUALA LUMPUR (July 18): Three former top judges have backed the appointment of Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the 17th Chief Justice (CJ), effective July 27.


When contacted by The Edge, Tun Zaki Azmi, Tun Arifin Zakaria, and Tun Md Raus Sharif congratulated Wan Ahmad Farid, who, despite being one of the most junior Court of Appeal (COA) judges, has been appointed as the CJ, replacing Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat who retired earlier this month.


Arifin congratulated Wan Ahmad Farid and said he believes his experience in both the executive and judiciary will help strengthen the judicial system.


“I trust he can steer the delicate balance of power between the executive and the judiciary. This is critical to bring in confidence in the judiciary as an independent branch of the government.


“During his tenure as a judge, Wan Ahmad Farid has displayed all the positive character required of a judge, as he is independent, patient and fair to all that come before him. The fact that he was picked from the Court of Appeal judge demonstrates the trust they (the Rulers and executive) have in him. I wish him well in this challenging office,” he said.


Arifin, 74, was the CJ from 2011 to 2017.


Md Raus Sharif, who was the CJ from 2017 to 2018, also congratulated Wan Ahmad Farid and said “with his experience, I am confident that Wan Ahmad Farid will be able to shoulder the responsibilities of the CJ”.


Just after midnight on Thursday, the Federal Court registrar announced that Wan Ahmad Farid will be the new CJ, Datuk Abu Bakar Jais the new COA President, and Datuk Azizah Nawawi the new Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, all effective July 27.


Azizah replaces Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, who will retire later this month after a six-month extension.


Wan Ahmad Farid takes over from Tengku Maimun, and Abu Bakar replaces Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim, both of whom retired earlier this month.


Before Wan Ahmad Farid and Abu Bakar were appointed, Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim acted as the CJ, and Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof acted as the President of the COA.
Zaki willing to offer advice to Wan Ahmad Farid


Zaki, who was the CJ from 2008 to 2011, when asked by The Edge if there is any advice he would give to Wan Ahmad Farid, replied that he is willing to provide advice but would do so in private.


“I prefer to give advice and share my experience privately, if he (Wan Ahmad Farid) asks. If my advice is sought from him (Wan Ahmad Farid) and other judges I will give them in private,” he said.


Zaki, 79, had served in various capacities in the Attorney General Chambers before entering private practice and was once Umno’s legal adviser and the party disciplinary committee chairman.


Wan Ahmad Farid was previously a Senator during Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s premiership and a former deputy home minister.


Zaki said Wan Ahmad Farid’s many reported judgements show he is a high-quality judge.


“If you do not write or have reported judgements, it would deem the person has lower quality. If it is published and reported in law reports or journals, it shows there is quality and is a point in favour (of your quality),” he said.


Zaki who was credited in transforming the judiciary through the use of information technology said Wan Ahmad Farid may be seen as a junior Court of Appeal judge but so was Tengku Maimun when she became the junior most Federal Court judge to be appointed as CJ in 2019. He congratulated Wan Ahmad Farid and said the new CJ needs to address the backlog of cases.


During Zaki’s time as the CJ and COA President, he helped reduce case backlogs, and his successors continued this. However, lawyers and judges still report some backlogs.


The Judicial Appointments Commission website shows 24 High Court vacancies still open. Zaki also said backlogs come from lower courts like the Magistrate's and Sessions Courts.


Read also:

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New CJ: Bar, practitioners voice relief and hope for continued judicial independence
Wan Ahmad Farid appointed as new Chief Justice, Abu Bakar Jais is COA President while Azizah is Sabah, Sarawak CJ

Edited ByPresenna Nambiar