07/12/2025

NATIONAL 2 theSun on Sunday DEC 7, 2025

Chief justice pledges faster resolution of commercial cases PUTRAJAYA: Chief Justice Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh’s first 100 days have provided vital indications on how he intends to steer the country’s judicial administration. He shared his plans during a media interview at his office in the Palace of Justice, including a move to establish additional courts for the Commercial Court division in Kuala Lumpur to boost investor confidence and facilitate faster resolution of commercial cases. “Independence of the judiciary means confidence of investors. When they feel that the judiciary is independent, they are confident in investing in our country, and that is the most important thing. “We are going to enhance the Commercial Court by appointing more judges to clear disputes so that we can deliver decisions in commercial cases as quickly as possible,” he said during the interview conducted in conjunction with his 100 days in office as chief justice. He said there are plans to establish a separate commercial court in Kuala Lumpur to ensure that commercial disputes are handled by specialised judges. “My hope is that by next year, we are going to have at least eight to 10 commercial judges in the Kuala Lumpur High Court.” Another area of concern for him is the Family Court, and the judiciary is exploring the possibility of allowing senior Sessions Court judges to hear additional Family Court matters beyond joint petitions. He said currently, there is only one Family Court in the Kuala Lumpur Court Complex that handles civil divorce matters. “With this option in mind, Family Court judges at the High Court will have more room to handle complicated matters, thereby reducing the backlog of cases. “We are thinking of giving more powers to select senior Sessions Court judges to handle other matters, because Section 2 of the Law Reform Act (Marriage and Divorce) allows the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, on the advice of the chief judge of Malaya and chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak to empower Sessions Court judges to hear other matters, not just petitions.” He also revealed the judiciary’s plan to establish a new courthouse in Shah Alam, Selangor, adding that a suitable location would be identified soon. Wan Ahmad Farid also gave journalists a tour of his chambers and work areas following the interview. “Nobody can instruct me to do anything. Not even the prime minister. Except the media,” he quipped. His personal commitment to integrity in his daily work was perhaps best reflected in his simple reply to a question about what it is like to enjoy the view of the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin mosque from his office daily. “So my conscience is always clear,” he said. – Bernama

Sultan Nazrin graces Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah convocation KUALA KANGSAR: The Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah graced the 18th convocation of Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (Usas) at its Dewan Jubli Perak yesterday. His Royal Highness was received by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Usas vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Wan Sabri Wan Yusof.

Sultan Nazrin, who is also chancellor of Usas, presented Phds, master’s and bachelor’s degrees and diplomas in Management and Information Technology. He also conferred Phds, master’s and bachelor’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas and diplomas to graduates of the Faculty of Islamic Studies and Social Sciences. Sultan Nazrin presented five academic excellence awards. The Chancellor’s Award went to Roselind Nadiera Talib, the Perak Menteri Besar Award to Nor Asmira Li Mohamed Ali, the Usas Vice-Chancellor’s Award to Nurjaslinda Jamaluddin, the FPISS Best Student Award to Eddie Hidayat Qauf Husain and Fatin Nurdayana Kasmuri, and the FPTM Best Student Award to Nor Jannah Aqilah Zas Samsul Kamal and Ummi Faqihah Sobri. Earlier in his address, Wan Sabri said the two-day convocation would see degrees and diplomas awarded to 1,755 graduates comprising six Doctor of Philosophy recipients, 18 master’s degree recipients, 32 postgraduate diploma recipients, 759

Sultan Nazrin presenting the Master’s Degree in Islamic Studies to Muhamad Sabri Di, 62, during the convocation in Kuala Kangsar yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

institution in producing competent graduates through various academic and non-academic programmes at both national and international levels. – Bernama

bachelor’s degree recipients and 940 diploma recipients. He said Usas continues to demonstrate its capability as a higher education

Navigate US-China rivalry using ‘M’sia-first’ way: Don

loyalty clauses which could restrict cooperation with China may face pushback. “Malaysia reflects a region where the US is embedding strategic conditions into economic frameworks. China is openly contesting those moves and Asean countries are facing increasing pressure to choose sides even as they insist on working with both.” He said the ART commitments could be portrayed as Malaysia drifting towards the US camp, particularly by Chinese commentators or domestic critics. “But they don’t necessarily amount to strategic alignment if Malaysia implements them in a neutral, rules based manner while maintaining visible engagement with China. It’s a delicate balance.” Mohd Yazid said short-term reassurance from Anwar may ease immediate tensions but structural pressures would persist. “You can defuse this episode but the underlying great power tug-of-war will keep returning. “Malaysia must continue to clearly explain the legal scope of the US deal, quietly reassure Beijing that Chinese trade and investment remain welcome and be meticulous in all future agreements.” The ART was signed by Malaysia and the US in October during the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching RM484.12 billion in 2024, accounting for 16.8% of Malaysia’s total global trade. Singapore and the US follow closely behind.

‘Nation should take benefits from both superpowers but ensure that every decision anchored in national interest principles rather than bloc politics’

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

the public statement is consistent with Beijing’s increasingly assertive style in responding to US deals with neighbouring countries. “China previously exerted open pressure on South Korea over the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missile system and on the Philippines for granting the US greater access to its bases. “In the broader context of US-China rivalry, this episode aligns with Beijing’s pattern of speaking out when neighbouring countries enter agreements involving security or high-tech trade.” He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks that the concerns are being “exaggerated” reflect Malaysia’s effort to reassure both powers while maintaining a neutral stance. Mohd Yazid added that the episode highlights a structural shift in the region. “As the US incorporates more explicit ‘anti-China’ provisions into trade agreements, and China responds assertively, Southeast Asian countries are facing a shrinking middle ground. “China now treats even trade deals as part of the wider strategic contest with Washington, not just economics. The room for quiet hedging is shrinking.” He said the public nature of China’s warning also sends a broader message to the region that countries that sign US frameworks containing “poison pill” or

PETALING JAYA: The nation should adopt a “Malaysia first” approach to navigate the growing strategic tug-of-war between the United States (US) and China in Southeast Asia, said a regional expert. International Islamic University Malaysia deputy dean of the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Yazid Zul Kepli said prioritising national interests is crucial to managing current geopolitical tensions. “Malaysia should take benefits from both the US and China but ensure that every decision is anchored in national interest principles rather than bloc politics.” China’s unusually blunt public warning over Malaysia’s Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) deal with the US, expressing “grave concerns”, signals a sharper, more visible phase in the US-China rivalry in the region. “It’s quite rare but not totally shocking. China and Malaysia normally handle disagreements quietly but this time, Beijing openly raised its concerns.” He added that foreign media reported it last week as possibly the first direct Chinese complaint about the Malaysia-US trade pact. Mohd Yazid said while China has long been Malaysia’s largest trading partner,