Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, Malaysia’s newly appointed Chief Justice, began his term by firmly pledging to safeguard the judiciary’s independence, despite public scrutiny over his political history. Addressing legal professionals and dignitaries during his inauguration at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, the 17th Chief Justice openly acknowledged his past roles across all branches of government, including his former political affiliations.
Rather than sidestepping his background, Wan Ahmad Farid highlighted that while the past cannot be erased, his present commitment lies fully with judicial integrity. He described his new appointment as a sacred trust, vowing to defend the judiciary from any form of external interference. His remarks sent a strong message that his loyalty now rests solely with upholding justice without fear or favour.
This stance echoes a precedent he set in June 2022, when he voluntarily stepped aside from hearing a case involving former Prime Minister Najib Razak, citing concerns over public perception due to his past ties to Umno and the involvement of a family member in the same party. That decision, widely viewed as a principled move, was later praised during the event by the Attorney General and other senior legal figures, who described it as a gesture that reinforced public confidence in judicial impartiality.
In his speech, Wan Ahmad Farid also introduced a series of reform plans aimed at strengthening court operations. These include measures to reduce case backlogs by appointing additional judicial commissioners and deploying circuit judges for older cases. He announced the expansion of mobile courts—currently operating in Sabah and Sarawak—into Peninsular Malaysia, bringing essential legal services to underserved communities.
Other planned initiatives include the creation of more specialised High Court divisions, the revival of Federal Court circuit sittings outside Putrajaya, and enhanced judicial readiness in adapting to evolving technologies, including artificial intelligence.
The ceremony was attended by senior legal officials, former chief justices, and representatives from foreign judiciaries and diplomatic missions. Their presence underscored the national and international attention surrounding the transition of power in Malaysia’s judiciary.
As Wan Ahmad Farid steps into his new role, the legal fraternity and wider public will closely watch whether his promises of impartiality and reform can truly shape a more resilient, transparent, and independent judicial system.
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