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Malaysia's Chief Justice Warns of Critical Judge Shortage

1/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, Chief Justice of Malaysia, warned at the Opening of the Legal Year 2026 of a structural shortage of judges.
Criminal cases rose 63.4% from 1,522,005 in 2021 to 2,486,567 by November 2025.
Civil cases increased 59.5% from 303,335 to 483,933 in the same period.
The judiciary currently has 482 judges, which is insufficient to manage the growing complexity of cases.

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Story summary

Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, Chief Justice of Malaysia, warned at the Opening of the Legal Year 2026 of a structural shortage of judges.
Criminal cases rose 63.4% from 1,522,005 in 2021 to 2,486,567 by November 2025.
Civil cases increased 59.5% from 303,335 to 483,933 in the same period.
The judiciary currently has 482 judges, which is insufficient to manage the growing complexity of cases.