08/07/2025

TUESDAY | JULY 8, 2025

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Call for royal probe into judicial appointments

Committee to check on teacher workload: NUTP GEORGE TOWN: The National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) has urged the Education Ministry to establish a special committee to comprehensively resolve the long-standing issue of excessive teacher workloads. Its president Aminuddin Awang said about 418,000 teachers nationwide continue to face heavy workloads, often being assigned tasks unrelated to their core professional responsibilities. “We hope the ministry will take immediate action. This issue has persisted for years, yet many teachers, especially at the grassroots level, still feel the burden of having to carry out non teaching duties,” he told a press conference held in conjunction with NUTP’s Mid-Term Review for the 2023–2026 session in Teluk Bahang yesterday. The three-day meeting, which began last Saturday, also highlighted nine other key issues that will be submitted to the government, including the ministry and the Public Service Department for further consideration. Aminuddin said one of the major contributors to the workload is the user-unfriendly online data entry system, which complicates administrative tasks. He added that teaching assistants assigned to schools with over 1,500 students have not significantly eased the burden, as many teachers still handle administrative duties in the school office. NUTP also called for clear guidelines to prevent non-urgent disruptions outside official working hours. – Bernama Top official awaits findings on fake MCs MALACCA: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said he is awaiting the results of an investigation into the alleged submission of fake medical certificates (MCs) by a civil servant in Sungai Petani, Kedah, as reported by the media on Sunday. He said the investigation is still ongoing and he has yet to receive a full report on the case. He told reporters this after attending the state-level Jelajah Taat Setia Madani Programme at the Malacca International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh yesterday. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh officiated the closing ceremony of the programme, which was also attended by state secretary Datuk Azhar Arshad. The media yesterday reported that three individuals had been arrested over their suspected involvement in the sale of fake MCs. The activities were uncovered following an internal probe of a policeman who frequently went on sick leave by submitting fake MCs without medical consultation or treatment. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli has called for the formation of a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate delays and unresolved concerns surrounding judicial appointments, emphasising the need for transparency and parliamentary accountability. Speaking on behalf of eight other PKR backbenchers, Rafizi said they would formally petition the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reform to initiate the inquiry. The other MPs are Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa), Wong Chen (Subang), Rodziah Ismail (Ampang), Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju), Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Ledang), S. Kesavan (Sungai Siput) and Onn Abu Bakar (Batu Pahat). Rafizi said the group will also propose inviting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to clarify the government’s position on recent judicial appointments. “The Parliament, as an independent legislative body, has a role to play in safeguarding the judiciary’s independence. “We believe a royal commission is the most suitable mechanism to look into these allegations and help restore public confidence,” Rafizi told a press conference at the Subang Parliamentary Constituency Service Centre in Puchong yesterday. o Rafizi, backed by PKR MPs, urges transparency and accountability amid claims of procedural lapses and unheeded recommendations Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Rafizi (centre, seated) and eight other MPs believe that an RCI is the most suitable mechanism to look into allegations of undue influence over judicial appointments and restore public confidence. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

“This isn’t just an issue for the legal community, it’s of national importance. “Governments come and go, but judges stay. Once judicial integrity is compromised, it takes decades to restore.” He called for a temporary halt to new judicial nominations until the proposed RCI and parliamentary inquiry are concluded. “In our view, any current vacancies should be filled based on nominations already submitted by the JAC. “If fresh nominations are needed, they should only proceed once these concerns are addressed through proper channels.” This is not the first time Rafizi has raised concerns about the judiciary. In a statement on June 30, he pointed to the upcoming retirement of seven Federal Court judges between July and November – an unprecedented development that could leave more than half of The 58th Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) will see foreign ministers from 10 member states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – gather in Kuala Lumpur. Timor-Leste’s foreign minister will also attend as the country pushes for full Asean membership. On the Dapur Digital initiative, the minister said the five pilot digital kitchens launched last year had shown strong results. As of end-May, the combined sales of digital kitchens at the People’s Housing Projects in five sites – Intan Baiduri, Wangsa Sari, Kerinchi, Kampung Limau and Setapak Jaya – had surpassed RM1.08 million. “This is clear proof that when

claims that the government had failed to act on recommendations submitted by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) for judges at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court levels. Rafizi also noted that nominations for the posts of chief justice and Court of Appeal president were reportedly submitted before the retirement of Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat as CJ, but appointments were only made after the positions became vacant. He further highlighted concerns over a JAC meeting allegedly convened without the required 10 day notice to discuss new nominations, and cited a police report involving a Federal Court judge in relation to claims of case interference and judge reassignment. “These are serious matters. While public discussion is ongoing, we need a formal process to determine the facts and protect trust in our institutions. “We’re not just welcoming high level delegates, we’re showcasing Kuala Lumpur to the region. “City Hall is working closely with multiple agencies to ensure everything runs smoothly, and that the city leaves a strong impression,” Zaliha told reporters after presenting keys to 10 Dapur Digital (cloud kitchen) entrepreneurs at Menara DBKL yesterday. Efforts to spruce up the city are already in full swing, but the minister stressed that maintaining cleanliness is not just the job of local authorities. “We’ve launched several initiatives involving City Hall, local communities, NGOs, hotels and student volunteers. Cleanliness is a shared responsibility – it’s not just up to the council.”

the apex bench vacant, which could disrupt the administration of justice. He noted that four of the judges had previously been granted six month extensions and questioned why similar consideration had not been extended to outgoing CJ Tengku Maimun and Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim. Rafizi stressed that the intention is not to politicise judicial appointments but to ensure institutional continuity and stability. He warned that inaction could erode public confidence and fuel perceptions of executive interference, especially if judicial seniority is overlooked in appointments. The MPs also plan to launch a nationwide campaign to raise public awareness. They added that it is important for Malaysians to be involved in the discourse, as judicial integrity is crucial to a functioning democracy. given the opportunity, our people can thrive. “Building on this success, Budget 2025 has allocated RM5 million to roll out 25 more digital kitchens nationwide. Ten of these will be in KL, positioning the Federal Territory as the frontrunner in this initiative,” said Zaliha. The 10 KL sites are: Seri Semarak, Hiliran Ampang, Seri Alam, Raya Permai, Kampung Muhibbah, Taman Mulia, Beringin, Pangsapuri Sentul Utara, PA Sri Kedah and PA Seri Perlis II. The Dapur Digital initiative serves, not only as modern community kitchens, but also as food processing hubs, e-commerce spaces, skills training centres and venues for community activities.

He said recent developments have raised serious concerns, including KL gears up for 58th Asean Ministerial Meeting

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: The metropolis is gearing up to impress as Asean foreign ministers descend on the country’s capital. Kuala Lumpur is rolling out the red carpet as it prepares to host Asean foreign ministers from July 8 to 11 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, with the city aiming to project a polished image as Malaysia holds this year’s Asean chairmanship. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said KL City Hall is spearheading logistics and city preparations for the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting – from safety to street-level cleanliness.