Pokhara, 20 July – His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, has given his assent to the appointments of three prominent judicial figures, including Court of Appeal judge Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, who is set to become the new Chief Justice of the Federal Court. This significant development fills a crucial vacancy at the pinnacle of Malaysia’s judiciary, which had been left open following Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat’s mandatory retirement on July 2. Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim had been temporarily holding the Chief Justice role.
The Office of the Federal Court Chief Registrar announced that these appointments were made in strict adherence to Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution. The process involved the advice of the Prime Minister and subsequent consultation with the esteemed Conference of Rulers, underscoring the constitutional framework governing such high-level judicial selections.
In addition to Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid, two other key judicial figures received royal approval: Federal Court judge Datuk Abu Bakar Jais has been appointed as the new President of the Court of Appeal, and Datuk Azizah Nawawi has been named the Chief Judge of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak. Datuk Azizah Nawawi will be taking over from the outgoing Chief Judge for the region, who is scheduled to retire.
The newly appointed judicial leaders are slated to officially take their oaths of office and receive their appointment letters on July 28. This formal ceremony will take place at Istana Negara, in the presence of His Majesty the King, marking a pivotal moment for the nation’s legal system.
Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid, aged 62, has a notable career that spans both the political and judicial spheres. Prior to his appointment to the Court of Appeal on November 12, 2024, he served as Deputy Home Minister from March 19, 2008, to April 9, 2009. Although he contested and lost in the Kuala Terengganu state by-election in 2009, he subsequently announced his retirement from politics in 2013, having previously been a member of Umno. His judicial experience includes presiding over significant cases, such as the judicial review application by Teoh Beng Hock’s parents against the police, and Tun Daim Zainuddin’s challenge against his probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. His prior experience and recent judicial engagements position him as a well-regarded figure within the legal community, who was widely considered a front-runner for the top judicial post.
