Wan Ahmad Farid: New Chief Justice with quiet strength, steady integrity

The recent appointment of Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as the 17th Chief Justice of Malaysia marks a significant moment for the nation’s judiciary.

As someone who has observed his courtroom demeanour firsthand, I welcome this appointment with a sense of cautious optimism – grounded in his track record, tempered disposition, and deep understanding of the Malaysian legal landscape.

Wan Ahmad Farid, who officially takes office on July 28, is not an unfamiliar name in legal or political circles.

His career has been multifaceted – from legal practitioner to deputy minister, from High Court judge to Court of Appeal, and now, to the highest judicial office in the land.

Some may raise eyebrows at his prior political involvement, but in my experience, his conduct on the bench has been guided more by principle than partisanship.

In court, he carries himself with a calm presence – friendly, patient, and yet firm. He listens attentively, gives parties the space to argue, and manages proceedings with quiet authority. It is this balance – between approachability and decisiveness – that often sets apart good judges from great ones.

One of the qualities I particularly admire in Wan Ahmad Farid is his ability to rise above ego and to act in the best interest of judicial fairness.

He has voluntarily recused himself from hearing cases where he felt there may be an apparent conflict of interest or bias. This is a quality I deeply respect – especially when, regrettably, some junior judges appear personally upset when such applications are made.

His decisions to recuse himself in matters involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, for instance, were not just procedurally correct – they reflected a profound understanding that justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done.

His judicial record also includes significant cases that demonstrate both intellectual rigour and an acute awareness of institutional responsibility.

In the Teoh Beng Hock case, he ordered the police to conclude their drawn-out investigation within six months, highlighting the unacceptable delays that plague our criminal justice system.

In a sensitive and high-profile matter involving the conversion of Loh Siew Hong’s children, Wan Ahmad Farid ruled in accordance with state law and existing procedural norms.

Whether one agrees or not, what stood out was his measured approach and respect for legal structure – crucial when dealing with emotionally charged, religiously sensitive issues.

In 2024, his decision that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s emergency declaration under Article 150 is non-justiciable reaffirmed his fidelity to constitutional boundaries and the separation of powers.

Some of his judgments that I have read clearly demonstrate his commitment to reasserting the independence of the judiciary as enshrined in the Constitution. This is no small matter, especially at a time when institutions are often tested by political undercurrents.

It must be acknowledged that Wan Ahmad Farid’s appointment came as a surprise. Compared to others in the senior judiciary, his elevation was relatively swift.

But if we are to judge him fairly, we must do so by his conduct, his temperament, and his judgments – not just the timing of his promotion.

I have also found him to be courteous to counsel – a quality sometimes lost in the pressure cooker of litigation. He does not use the bench as a platform to belittle lawyers or to theatrically assert authority.

Yet, when needed, he can be assertive and unequivocal. This combination of humility and strength, I believe, will also define his leadership as Chief Justice.

There are serious challenges ahead – public trust in the judiciary must be rebuilt, court efficiency must improve, and we must once again uphold the promise that the courts are the last refuge for justice.

As Chief Justice, Wan Ahmad Farid has the opportunity – and the responsibility – to uphold the independence of the judiciary in both perception and practice.

Malaysia needs a judiciary that is intelligent, independent, and imbued with compassion and courage. Based on what we have seen of him thus far, I believe Wan Ahmad Farid possesses these qualities.

I wish him wisdom, integrity, and courage in discharging his new role – for the sake of justice and for the nation.

The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.