Former Federal Territory Mufti, Datuk Wan Zahidi Wan Teh has been appointed the new Fatwa Committee Chairman of the National Fatwa Council for Islamic Religious Affairs (MKI).

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said the appointment was to replace Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin whose tenure of appointment had expired and after getting the consent of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V with the concurrence of the Conference of Rulers.

Jamil said in a statement here last night that the appointment of Wan Zahidi, 75, was based on his wide experience in various fields and his career particularly regarding Islamic affairs.

Besides having served as the Federal Territory Mufti, Wan Zahidi who has a Bachelors degree (Syariah) and a Masters degree (Usul Fiqh) from the University of Al-Azhar, Egypt, had also served as Rector of the Kolej Islam Darul Ridzuan.

Wan Zahidi who originated from Grik, Perak had also served as a lecturer with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA