CJ Vows To Vigorously Protect, Safeguard Judiciary Independence

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 6 (Bernama) -- Newly-appointed Chief Justice Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh has pledged to protect and safeguard the independence of the judiciary.

In his maiden speech as the 17th Chief Justice of Malaysia at a special ceremony held in his honour at the Palace of Justice today, Wan Ahmad Farid also highlighted his long and varied career and described it as something that he could not erase. 

“I have served in all three branches of the government. I cannot erase my history, political or otherwise. Nor do I want to. That is who I am. 

“But as I assume this most solemn office and for as long as I occupy this chair, I give you my unconditional pledge, in the name of my Creator, Bismillahhirahmanirrahim, that I will vigorously protect and relentlessly safeguard the independence of our branch of government with every fibre of my being,” he said.

He also called for fellow judges, judicial officers, the Attorney-General's Chambers, the Malaysian Bar, the Sabah Law Society, the Advocates Association of Sarawak and other stakeholders to work together with him. 

“Let there be a strong message of the independence of the judiciary which shall continue to be loud and clear, echoing not just through the halls of the Palace of Justice and other courthouses but also through all corners of our society and all the corridors of power in our country. 

“I am sitting in this chair not because I am the best. Far from it. I was not born great, nor have I achieved greatness. Instead, what I have is simply the responsibility of leadership entrusted to me,” he said, adding that as a judge, it is impossible to please everyone.

Wan Ahmad Farid, 62, who takes over the top judge position following the retirement of Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat on July 2, said that in every decision, at least one party (and sometimes both) will not be satisfied with the court’s ruling, but in the Malaysian judiciary system, there are avenues for an aggrieved party to take the next course of action.

“Whatever our decision is, lest we forget, we must ensure that the losing party walks out of our courtrooms feeling satisfied that he was given the right to be heard, to present his evidence and be given his day. Do not shut them out,” he said.

Wan Ahmad Farid, who 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, also expressed his desire to see a judiciary that continuously enhances its delivery system.

He said, in 2011, the World Bank made a recommendation for countries facing judicial backlog to take note of and study the reforms that Malaysia made. 

“In short, we were the trendsetter and became an example for the world. As they say, justice delayed is justice denied. I am aware of litigants who come to the courts seeking justice, but are dissatisfied that it takes years for the matter to be resolved.

“To them, let me say this: I hear you. Together with my brother and sister judges, we will work together to resolve the backlog of cases throughout the country.

“To this end, I am happy to inform you that we are working with the government on increasing the number of courtrooms and appointing additional judicial commissioners,” he said.

In order to reduce the backlog of cases drastically, the Chief Justice said the judiciary will assign circuit Judges and Judicial Commissioners in various stations to hear ageing cases and dispose of them within a specified period. 

To further expand public access to justice, Wan Ahmad Farid said the judiciary has introduced mobile courts, bringing legal services directly to remote communities, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.

“I am pleased to inform you that we are planning to introduce the same service to Peninsula Malaysia. 

“There is also a need to form more specialised divisions and subdivisions of the High Court, especially at the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex. We will explore this in order to expose our judges to more complex areas of the law and therefore enhance their expertise in these areas,” he said. 

Additionally, he said the adoption of technology in courtrooms will continue to enhance the efficiency of the court system and allow better access to justice and the judiciary.

-- BERNAMA