12/09/2025

FRIDAY | SEPT 12, 2025

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Split AG, public prosecutor roles hailed as key reform

UM urged to clarify lower university seats in accounting Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com PETALING JAYA: MCA Youth has urged Universiti Malaya (UM) and the Higher Education Ministry to explain why admission into UM’s accounting programme has plunged despite soaring demand from top scorers, amid concerns that the University Admissions Unit (UAU) slots are being squeezed to make way for alternative pathways. Its education consultative committee chairman Ong Chee Siang said the flagship programme, once admitting some 150 students annually through UAU, has seen the figure fall to just 85 since the introduction of the Saluran Terbuka Universiti Malaya (UM Open Channel or Satu) in 2018. “This year, the programme received 2,291 eligible applications, including 1,127 with perfect scores, yet only 85 were admitted via UAU – just 7.5% of applicants. “Under such circumstances, even top scorers now face near-impossible odds of getting enrolled in the course. This cannot be explained away by saying ‘competition is high’. The issue here is structural,” Ong said in a statement. He questioned whether UAU slots had been reallocated to Satu, noting that when it was first introduced, admissions were capped at 10 per programme but some now take in more than 100. “The issue is not just about one case, like that of Edward Wong, but the lack of transparency in our higher education system. When basic admission data is withheld, how are citizens expected to believe the process is fair?” he asked. Ong called on UM and the ministry to disclose how many of this year’s 85 UAU places for accounting went to STPM students and how many to Satu applicants. He also demanded figures for 2023 and 2024 and confirmation on whether UAU slots have been reduced. “Public universities exist to provide equal opportunities based on merit. They are funded by taxpayers and should not operate under commercial motivations. “If Satu admissions continue to expand at the expense of UAU, we are not only worsening inequality but also undermining our nation’s future competitiveness,” he warned, adding that the situation could drive Malaysia’s brightest abroad and deepen brain drain. UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman, however, was reported as saying the actual intake for the accounting programme was higher than the 85 UAU seats cited, as the university also admits students through conditional direct offers. “UM has what we call an open channel – we offer about 30 to 50 students conditional offers, meaning that they have already met the requirements. “This is a normal practice, and the offer letters are only issued after the appeal period,”he told a press conference on Wednesday. “During the appeal period, the 30 to 50 students will be ranked to identify the best candidates. They are ranked based on the same system used by UAU. Ultimately, we will take 30 to 50 students, making the total around 150 or 160.”

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Experts say move must include constitutional safeguards to ensure prosecutorial independence

He pointed out that the change would require amendments not only to Article 145 of the Federal Constitution but also to Section 376 of the Criminal Procedure Code. “The move should be warmly welcomed as it will enable the PP to be free from any political interference and restore public trust in the criminal justice system.” Salim added that the independence of the PP would hinge on how the appointment process is structured. “The appointment of the PP should be guarded with security of tenure from any arbitrary removals and the choice of candidates must be entrusted to an independent committee.” He also stressed the need for clear delineation of the AG’s and PP’s responsibilities to prevent overlaps or conflicts of interest. On Wednesday, the Cabinet endorsed the separation. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil described it as a landmark decision, adding that the decision was reached after a presentation by Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. levels due to aggressive overseas recruitment. His remarks follow walk-in interviews by Singapore hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, part of what he described as blatant recruitment drives. In July, Singapore’s Health Ministry held interviews in KL, offering doctors annual packages worth S$110,000 (RM385,000). This excludes accommodation allowances, insurance, relocation support, overtime bonuses, flight tickets and other perks. Abdul Rahman said Singapore was deliberately “flexing its financial muscles” to undermine Malaysia’s mission to provide adequate and affordable healthcare, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak. He said domestic shortcomings, such as the unpopular contract system, low allowances and vague career pathways, have also fuelled the exodus. However, he said “no member country should be allowed to take advantage of other member countries in an unfair manner, especially on issues crucial and critical to the lives and medical welfare of their citizens”. On Aug 7, theSun reported that 705 doctors and 1,394 nurses with more than five years’ service resigned between 2022 and 2024. Specialist resignations have also surged, with 917 leaving between 2019 and 2023, including 359 in 2023 alone, particularly in paediatrics, internal medicine, anaesthesiology and orthopaedics.

PETALING Malaysia’s decision to separate the roles of Attorney-General (AG) and Public Prosecutor (PP) has been hailed as a watershed reform that could strengthen prosecutorial independence and restore public trust in the justice system. Constitutional law expert Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Wan Ahmad Fauzi Wan Husain said the dual role of the AG as both government legal adviser and chief prosecutor has long raised fears of political interference in sensitive cases. “Yes, it’s vital since the posts at present require wide expertise and also to avoid undue influence as alleged by the public at large. “Many cases where the courts are dismissing charges upon the AG’s request have caused public outcry. Separating the positions can help reduce the perception of political interference.” Wan Ahmad Fauzi stressed, however, that the reform would only be meaningful if the PP is given the same constitutional safeguards as a judge. “The separation will strengthen JAYA:

particularly involving politicians, would depend on the level of constitutional protection afforded to the PP. Looking ahead, he said the move could set the stage for broader reforms. “Yes, this move sets a precedent for broader constitutional reforms in Malaysia’s governance structure. “I hope the proposed amendment will happen soon and my suggestions above will be considered.” Former Malaysian Bar president Salim Bashir agreed the reform was both necessary and overdue. “Currently, Malaysia embraces a consolidated position of AG and PP in a single role. The government’s commitment to spearheading their separation by establishing an independent office of Public Prosecutor with autonomous power and structures is an important milestone.” expense of taxpayers.” Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia health economics and public health specialist Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh told a Chinese daily that the government spends an estimated RM500,000 to RM1 million to train each medical student over five years. Calling his proposal a “win-win situation”, Abdul Rahman admitted there would be technical and legal hurdles but said further studies were needed to refine the mechanism. He warned that Malaysia’s long standing “brain drain” of medical professionals has reached crisis those

the independence of the judiciary if the PP is guaranteed independence as accorded to a judge. There must be a tribunal if there is a legal reason to dismiss the PP,” he said, adding that such protection is key to ensuring prosecutorial decisions are made without fear or favour. The government has said the separation will be carried out in phases, beginning with constitutional amendments. Wan Ahmad Fauzi urged greater clarity on the timeline. “This idea has been mooted a long time ago. The government needs to explain the challenges to the public to justify the required phases. “I believe a constitutional amendment to Article 145(3) will not be an issue in Parliament. In fact, at present, we already have two solicitors-general besides the AG.” He said the impact on ongoing or future high-profile cases, “Alternatively, Singapore prefers not to make a one-off compensation, the Malaysian government could impose an additional levy, calculated monthly or yearly and based on the contracts and income earned in Singapore,” he said in a statement. Abdul Rahman stressed that the levy or compensation must come from Singaporean employers. “This shouldn’t be seen as punishment on those who seek employment abroad, but as a compensatory mechanism after having been trained locally at the if

S’pore should cover cost of M’sian-trained medics, says former minister

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia should press Singapore to reimburse the government for the millions of ringgit spent subsidising the training of doctors and nurses who later leave for higher salaries across the Causeway, said former minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan. He proposed that Singapore, via a government-to-government arrangement, pay Malaysia the full subsidies incurred in training the medical professionals it recruits.

The exodus of medical professionals to Singapore has raised concerns over Malaysia’s ability to retain skilled doctors and specialists. – BERNAMAPIC