29/07/2025

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King presents instrument of appointment to new Chief Justice

PETALING JAYA: In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, which took effect last night following a high-level special meeting in Putrajaya chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The meeting brought together Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, and was co-organised by the United States with active participation from China – signalling broad international commitment to de escalating tensions along the Cambodian-Thai border. Anwar said both leaders expressed readiness to restore calm and return to normalcy. “The ceasefire will take effect at 00:00 hours (local time) on July 28, 2025 (yesterday), marking what all parties described as a ‘vital first step’ towards restoring peace and stability in the region,” he said at a joint press conference. To reinforce the truce, both sides agreed to: 0 Hold informal talks between regional military commanders at 7am today; 0 Convene a meeting of defence attachés, led by the Asean chair, pending mutual agreement; and 0 Organise a General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on 4 August, to be hosted by Cambodia. Anwar said Malaysia, as the Asean chair, had offered to coordinate an independent Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI AND IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, yesterday presented the instrument of appointment as chief justice to Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh at Istana Negara. Wan Ahmad Farid, 62, also took the oath of office and loyalty during the ceremony, held at the Small Throne Room of the palace. He was also presented with the instrument of appointment as a Federal Court judge. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. His Majesty also conferred instruments of appointment to Datuk Abu Bakar Jais as president of the Court of Appeal and Datuk Azizah Nawawi as chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak. This was followed by the appointments of eight Court of Appeal Judges and 14 High Court judges. Wan Ahmad Farid becomes the 17th chief justice of Malaysia, succeeding Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who retired on July 2. His appointment was made in accordance with Clause (1) of Article 122B of the Federal Constitution, with the King’s consent on the advice of the

Prime Minister and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers. Abu Bakar, 63, fills the vacancy of President of the Court of Appeal following the retirement of Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim on July 3, while Azizah, also 63, replaces Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, who retired on July 24. Wan Ahmad Farid holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) from the University of West London and a Certificate in Legal Practice (Hons) from Universiti Malaya, obtained in 1986. He began his legal career in 1987 as an advocate and solicitor with Messrs Adnan & Wee in Kuala Terengganu, where he served until 2003. He was later appointed political secretary to then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi from 2003 to 2008, before serving as Deputy Home Minister from 2008 to 2009. Between 2011 and 2015, he returned to private legal practice as a partner at Messrs Wan Farid & Surin in Kuala Lumpur. He was appointed Judicial Commissioner in 2015, serving in the High Courts of Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu until 2019. He was elevated to High Court Judge from 2019 to 2024, with postings in Kota Bharu, Shah Alam (Special Powers Division) and Kuala Lumpur (Special Powers Division 3), before his promotion to the Court of Appeal. – Bernama

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim presenting the instrument of appointment to Wan Ahmad Farid. – BERNAMAPIC

Malaysia-brokered truce ends border clashes

‘No tolerance’ for foreigners holding hawker licences

PETALING JAYA: Local authorities have never permitted foreigners to apply for or hold hawker licences, small trader permits or business premises licences, and any violations will not be tolerated, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Replying to Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN– Hulu Selangor) regarding the presence of foreign traders in Malaysia’s retail sector, Nga said the restriction was clearly outlined under the Hawker By-Laws and the Licensing of Trades, Businesses and Industries By-Laws. “It must be stressed that the ministry and local authorities have never allowed any foreign nationals to apply for or own hawker or small business licences, business premises, grocery stores, eateries, car workshops or markets,” he said during Minister’s Question Time. Nga said since 2023, a total of 3,703 enforcement operations had been carried out across the country targeting business premises operated by or involving foreign nationals. As a result, 14,834 compounds were issued, 23 licences revoked and 2,880 business premises sealed due to various breaches of local authority rules, including cases where Malaysian traders had illegally transferred licences or permits to foreigners. “This is because the government is highly committed to supporting citizens through business opportunities, including offering business premises at below-market rental rates. These facilities must not be misused for the benefit of foreign nationals,” he said. The Teluk Intan MP added that local authorities will not compromise on any breach of licence conditions. Violators may face stern action, including compound fines, seizure of goods, business closures and licence revocations. – by Ikhwan Zulkaflee

o Cambodia and Thailand agree to ceasefire, resume talks and restore calm after recent hostilities

positive results. We hope this agreement will stop the fighting immediately — fighting that has cost lives and forced the displacement of nearly 300,000 people,” he said. He reported that 140,000 people had been displaced in Cambodia as a result of the clashes, while Thailand had recorded 160,000 displaced persons. Hun Manet said the ceasefire, along with a roadmap for military coordination and further diplomatic engagements, would pave the way for both countries to resume bilateral dialogue and de-escalate tensions along their shared border. He thanked Anwar for convening what he described as “a timely meeting” and praised Malaysia’s role in mediating between the two Asean neighbours. “I am also grateful to the US and China for playing constructive roles in helping to bring an end to the skirmishes,” he added, while commending the “positive role” of his Thai counterpart, Phumtham Wechayachai, in reaching the ceasefire. Wechayachai likewise thanked the governments of Malaysia, the US and China for facilitating a peaceful outcome. “Thailand is committed to a peaceful resolution that protects our sovereignty and the lives of our people,” he said. As guns fall silent along the contested border, regional attention now shifts to ensuring the ceasefire holds and lays the groundwork for a durable and just resolution.

observer team to verify the implementation of the ceasefire. “Malaysia will also consult with fellow Asean member states to participate in the observation effort, reflecting a regional commitment to supporting peace on the ground. “Both sides have also agreed to resume direct communications between the prime ministers, foreign ministers and defence ministers of both countries,” he added. Foreign and defence ministers from Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand have been tasked with developing a comprehensive mechanism for ceasefire implementation, monitoring and reporting, a move seen as crucial for long-term stability. Anwar noted that US President Donald J. Trump had contacted the leaders of both countries, urging a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He added that China had also maintained close dialogue with Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and other relevant nations to promote ceasefire and peace. “The meeting reaffirms the shared resolve of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand to uphold the principles of international law, peaceful co existence and multilateral cooperation in pursuit of a just and lasting resolution,” he said. At the same press conference, Hun Manet confirmed that Cambodia and Thailand had reached a ceasefire agreement during the special meeting hosted by Malaysia. “Today, we had a very good meeting and