For 63-year-old Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, who hails from Kuala Terengganu, the thought of becoming Malaysia’s 17th chief justice never crossed his mind, until his appointment was officially inked in July.
Speaking to reporters at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya today, the former politician recalled the moments leading up to his appointment, especially as there was speculation that another individual, a Federal Court judge, would assume the post in replacing Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.
“The decision came as a surprise to me. I was on the bench for 10 years, and about one year or so at the Court of Appeal… it is quite unprecedented for a Court of Appeal judge to be made a chief justice.
“This surprises me, and also my wife. I think it never crossed her mind that one day, her husband would be a chief justice.
“At the same time, we have to accept the fact that although it never crossed my mind, when I got the news, officially, I took it as a great honour,” he said, adding that he received a congratulatory note from his predecessor, which he took as a recognition of his experience.
Wan Ahmad Farid added that the presentation of the instrument of appointment by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on July 28 left him with a personal challenge, one where he aspired to bring the judiciary together and strengthen public confidence.
“What I have discovered so far is that chief justices come and go… But what I have in mind, whatever is left in my tenure, is to have a long-term policy and also a blueprint for the next 10 years for the judiciary.”
Before his time as a judge, Wan Ahmad Farid, who has a law degree, was Umno’s Kuala Terengganu deputy chief in 2001, and the political secretary to the fifth prime minister, the late Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, from 2004-2008.
He was then the deputy home minister from 2008-2009 before returning to the judiciary, where he debuted as a judicial commissioner in 2015.
Judge vs politician
Having been both a judge and a politician at different times in his life, Wan Ahmad Farid noted vast differences, especially as one is more public-facing, while the other is more out of sight but still under the public’s close watch.
“When I was elevated as a judicial commissioner, one of the senior federal court judges asked me, ‘What is the difference between a judge and a politician?’
“My answer was: a politician thinks after he makes a decision, a judge thinks before he makes decisions,” he quipped, eliciting a round of laughter.
“It is a direct contrast between being a politician and a judge… I can tell you, the moment I was elevated to judicial commissioner, my phone stopped ringing. Nobody called me anymore; I’m practically ‘lonely’,” he added.
A judge lives a more secluded life, while politicians are more sought after by the public, he noted.
He further said that he took a lot of time to adjust from being a politician to a judge.
“I experienced (these changes) before, and as a chief justice, I could use my administrative experience as a deputy minister to assist me in the administrative works of this post… The experience was helpful.”
Judicial philosophy
Wan Ahmad Farid attributed his judicial philosophy, shaped during his chambering, to his former master, the late Wan Adnan Ismail, who was the Court of Appeal president.
“He was the one who shaped my philosophy of life and practice... He’s quite a straightforward, no-nonsense kind of person, and I learned a lot from him.
“(My judicial philosophy is) whatever decision that you have to make, your conscience must be clear. As long as your conscience is clear, you will have no doubt whatsoever, (no) regret later.”
As a lawyer and a judge, he added, his go-to advice for young lawyers and judges would be “never to succumb to temptations”.
“As a judge, you have the power, the ability to make a judgment one way or the other. So of course… some people come and see you. If not themselves, through your close friends or family members.
“Give the judgment based on facts and law and never, ever succumb to temptation.
“Our decisions to gain public trust must be solely based on facts and law. This is the integrity that I’m talking about.”
Among the other aspects that he aspires to strengthen is judicial wellness, where judges are given space to ensure they are in the right frame of mind in preparing judgments.
“Speaking for myself, after I come from my study room (at home), which is quite late, I’ll have to unwind. I don’t normally go to sleep.
“I’ll have to unwind (by) watching Netflix, Tom and Jerry... My favourite Netflix series is Blacklist.
“You have to unwind. You cannot be serious all the time, so I think that helps me to achieve my judicial wellness.”
Wan Ahmad Farid was speaking to reporters during a group interview held earlier, in conjunction with his 100th day in office.
During the interview, the chief justice joked that he remains a loyal Malaysiakini subscriber, even though the news portal “hasn’t always been nice” to him, and that “not even the prime minister can tell him what to do… except the media”. - Mkini
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