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Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Wan Salleh is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Wan Ahmad Farid. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
Yang Amat Arif Dato'
Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh
DPMT SMT
وان أحمد فريد وان صالح‎
Wan Ahmad Farid in 2024
11th Chief Justice of Malaysia
Incumbent
Assumed office
28 July 2025
Nominated byAnwar Ibrahim
Appointed byIbrahim
MonarchIbrahim
Prime MinisterAnwar Ibrahim
Preceded byHasnah Mohammed Hashim (acting)
Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs I
In office
19 March 2008 – January 2009
Serving with Chor Chee Heung
Prime MinisterAbdullah Ahmad Badawi
MinisterSyed Hamid Albar
Preceded byTan Chai Ho
Succeeded byAbu Seman Yusop
Senator
Elected by the
Terengganu State Legislative Assembly
In office
23 December 2005 – January 2009
Serving with Nordiana Shafie
MonarchsSyed Sirajuddin
(2005–2006)
Mizan Zainal Abidin
(2006–2009)
Prime MinisterAbdullah Ahmad Badawi
Preceded byHassan Shukri
Succeeded byZainun A. Bakar
Personal details
Born (1962-11-13) 13 November 1962 (age 62)
Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia)
Nationality Malaysia
Political party United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
(until 2013)
Other political
affiliations		Barisan Nasional (BN)
(until 2013)
SpouseIntan Baizura Abdul Wahab
RelationsWan Hisham Wan Salleh (elder brother)
Children6
Alma materThames Valley University (LLB)
University of Malaya (CLP)
OccupationJudge, politician
ProfessionLawyer

Wan Ahmad Farid bin Wan Salleh (Jawi: وان أحمد فريد بن وان صالح; born 13 November 1962) is a Malaysian lawyer, judge and former politician who is serving as the 11th Chief Justice of Malaysia since 28 July 2025.[1][2] He previously served as the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs I from March 2008 to January 2009 in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last cabinet and served as a senator from December 2005 to January 2009.

Early life and education

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Wan Ahmad Farid bin Wan Salleh was born on 13 November 1962 in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Federation of Malaya (now Malaysia). He is the younger brother of Wan Hisham Wan Salleh, who was a member of the Terengganu State Executive Council in the Infrastructure Development, Public Service and Communication portfolio from March 2004 to April 2008 and member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly for Ladang from March 2004 to May 2013. He received his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the Thames Valley University, London in 1985. The following year, he obtained a Certificate in Legal Practice (CLP) from the University of Malaya.

Political career

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Wan Ahmad Farid was a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) until 2013. He served as the UMNO Deputy Division Chief of Kuala Terengganu in 2001.[3] In 2004, he was appointed as Political Secretary to the Minister of Internal Security, where he held the position until 2008.[4] He was subsequently elected as a senator by the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly on 23 December 2005. Three years later, he was selected by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to serve as the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs I, alongside Chor Chee Heung as the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs II.

In the 2009 Kuala Terengganu by-election, Wan Ahmad Farid lost to Malaysian Islamic Party candidate, Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut. He received 30,552 votes, compared to Mohd Abdul Wahid's 32,883 votes. Another candidate, Azharudin Mamat @ Adam, who stood as an independent, received only 193 votes. The by-election was held following the death of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Razali Ismail.

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Wan Ahmad Farid began his first steps as an advocate and solicitor at Tetuan Adnan & Wee, Kuala Terengganu from 1987 until 2003. He returned to the legal profession after serving as a deputy cabinet minister as an advocate and solicitor at Tetuan Wan Farid & Surin, Kuala Lumpur from 2010 to 2015.

Wan Ahmad Farid also served in the Kuala Lumpur High Court and the Kota Bharu High Court from 2015 to 2019. Throughout his tenure as a High Court Judge, he was assigned to the Kota Bharu High Court, Shah Alam High Court (Special Powers Division) and Kuala Lumpur High Court (Special Powers Division 3).

Wan Ahmad Farid was appointed as a judicial commissioner in 2015 and later served as a High Court judge from 2019 to 2024. Among his high-profile decisions was his withdrawal from hearing an application to allow a British Queen's Counsel (QC) to represent former Prime Minister Najib Razak in an appeal concerning the RM42 million SRC International corruption case. Wan Ahmad Farid cited a conflict of interest, stating that a member of his family was affiliated with Najib's political party, UMNO.

On 11 May 2023, Wan Ahmad Farid ruled that the children of single mother Loh Siew Hong had been legally converted to Islam under Perlis state law, referencing an affidavit from the state Islamic authority which confirmed that the children had recited the Shahadah in 2020.

In another landmark decision in November 2024, Wan Ahmad Farid ordered the police to complete their investigation into the 2009 death of Teoh Beng Hock within six months, deeming the delay in the investigation excessive. He had earlier ruled in favour of a judicial review filed by Teoh's family.

On 18 July 2025, Wan Ahmad Farid was announced as the new Chief Justice of Malaysia, succeeding Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on 2 July.[5][6] He officially sworn into the office on 28 July before King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim at Istana Negara.[2]

Personal life

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Wan Ahmad Farid is married to Intan Baizura Abdul Wahab and has six children: Wan Syafiqah Iryani Wan Ahmad Farid, Wan Anis Majida Wan Ahmad Farid, Wan Syazana Fasihah Wan Ahmad Farid, Wan Deena Masyitah Wan Ahmad Farid, Wan Nureen Sofea Wan Ahmad Farid, and Wan Khaireen Dunnyana Wan Ahmad Farid. He is a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur.[7]

Election results

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Parliament of Malaysia[8]
Year Constituency Candidate Votes Pct Opponent(s) Votes Pct Ballots cast Majority Turnout
2009 P036 Kuala Terengganu Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh (UMNO) 30,252 47.77% Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut (PAS) 32,883 51.92% 63,993 2,631 79.76%
Azharuddin Mamat (IND) 193 0.30%

Honours

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Honours of Malaysia

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "King appoints Wan Ahmad Farid as new Chief Justice". The Star. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b "King appoints Wan Ahmad Farid as Malaysia's 17th Chief Justice in ceremony at Istana Negara". Malay Mail. BERNAMA. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  3. ^ Two incumbents lose in divisional election. New Straits Times. 29 April 2001.
  4. ^ 26 Political Secretaries Sworn In Before Abdullah. New Straits Times. 29 April 2004.
  5. ^ "Wan Ahmad Farid is Malaysia's new chief justice". www.freemalaysiatoday.com. 18 July 2025.
  6. ^ Mahani Ishak (18 July 2025). "Agong perkenan Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh dilantik Ketua Hakim Negara". Berita Harian.
  7. ^ "Justice delayed: Stewing in the announcement of a new chief justice — Terence Fernandez". 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  8. ^ "Penyata Pengudian Selepas Penjumlahan Rasmi Undi" (PDF). Election Commission of Malaysia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2025. Percentage figures based on total turnout.
  9. ^ 397 To Receive Awards From Terengganu Sultan. New Straits Times. 21 May 1996.
  10. ^ 441 On Sultan's Birthday List. New Straits Times. 29 April 1994.
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