Abdul Rahman Sebli is the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak, leading the High Court and holding the fourth highest position in Malaysia’s legal system. He assumed this position on January 17, 2023, succeeding David Wong Dak Wah, who retired on February 20, 2022.

Abdul Rahman Sebli’s Bio, Wiki and Facts

Early Life, Birthdays, and Education

Abdul Rahman Sebli was born on January 25, 1959 (age 65 as of 2024) in Sibu, Sarawak, a town on the island of Borneo. He is the oldest of six siblings. His father was a businessman, while his mother was a housewife. He went to St. Mary’s Primary School and Sacred Heart Secondary School in Sibu, where he excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities. He also participated in sports, particularly badminton and football.

In 1983, he earned a Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) degree from the University of Malaya, Malaysia’s oldest and most famous university. He was a dedicated and conscientious student who took part in several moot court competitions and legal assistance programs. He was a member of both the University of Malaya Law Society and the Malaysian Law Students’ Federation.

Career & Achievements of Judge Abdul Rahman Sebli

After graduation, Abdul Rahman Sebli joined Malaysia’s Judicial and Legal Service in December 1983, which includes judges, magistrates, prosecutors, and legal advisers. He began his career as a Deputy Public Prosecutor in the state of Sarawak, where he handled a wide range of criminal matters, including drug trafficking and murder. He later worked as a Deputy Public Prosecutor in the states of Pahang, Kelantan, and Kuala Lumpur, obtaining considerable expertise and exposure to various jurisdictions and legal systems.

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In 1992, he was transferred to Sarawak State Attorney-General’s Chambers, where he worked as a Senior Federal Counsel and Civil Division Head. He was in charge of advising the state administration on a variety of legal issues, including land conflicts, indigenous customary rights, environmental concerns, and constitutional law. He also represented the state government in civil litigation and arbitration proceedings, both domestically and internationally.

Abdul Rahman Sebli was named the State of Pahang’s Legal Advisor in 2003, where he assisted the state government on a variety of legal issues, including land management, water resources, forestry, and Islamic affairs. He also represented the state government in civil litigation and arbitration proceedings, both domestically and internationally. In 2003, the Sultan of Pahang awarded him the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang (D.I.M.P) award, which comes with the prestigious title of Dato’

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In 2006, he was appointed Director of Legal Division at the Royal Malaysian Customs Department. Where he oversaw the department’s legal affairs, which included drafting and reviewing legislation, regulations, and policies, providing legal advice and opinions, and handling litigation and prosecution cases involving customs offences. He also collaborated with other government agencies, including the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the Ministry of Finance, and the Anti-Corruption Commission, on customs law and enforcement.

In 2008, he was appointed as a Judicial Commissioner, a temporary judicial position that allows a person to undertake the duties of a High Court Judge for a set length of time. He was assigned to the High judicial of Malaya in Shah Alam, Selangor, where he presided over criminal and civil cases at the highest judicial level.

Nik Elin Zurina

Abdul Rahman Sebli, a judge, had a link with Nik Elin Zurina, a lawyer, and her daughter, Tengku Yasmin Natasha, in a legal lawsuit challenging Kelantan’s syariah laws. Nik Elin Zurina and her daughter petitioned the Federal Court in 2022. Seeking to declare 18 provisions of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment 2019 unlawful. They contended that the state legislature lacked the authority to enact criminal offenses that overlapped with federal law.

Abdul Sebli was among the nine judges that heard and ruled the case in 2024. He was the sole dissenting judge, ruling that Nik Elin Zurina and her daughter had locus standi, or legal standing, to bring the matter before the court. He claimed that the enactment had no effect on their constitutional rights because they had never been charged under it.

Also he further said that the lawsuit was an abuse of the judicial process. Because the petitioners did not reach the required threshold to have their case heard. He questioned the Attorney General’s absence, as he should have begun the challenge.

Personal Life of Abdul Rahman Sebli – Spouse and Family

Abdul Rahman Sebli is not single. His wife is a housewife and a former teacher. They have seven children: four sons and three daughters, all of whom are successful professionals in law, medicine, engineering, and education. They also have several grandchildren, who they adore and treasure.

Abdul Sebli is a pious Muslim who fulfills his religious commitments diligently and consistently. He is also a generous and charitable guy who helps a variety of charities and organizations, including orphanages, schools, and mosques. He is also a sincere and modest individual who is not seeking glory or attention for his accomplishments and contributions. His coworkers, friends, and subordinates hold him in high regard as a role model and mentor.

Abdul Rahman is an enthusiastic reader who appreciates literature on a wide range of themes, including history, politics, religion, and law. He has a big and eclectic book collection in his own library, which he frequently gives and lends to his friends and family. He also enjoys classical music, particularly Mozart and Beethoven, which he uses to relax and decompress. Also he enjoys travelling and seeing new places and cultures, particularly with his wife and children.

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