04/04/2026

SATURDAY | APR 4, 2026

3 Move to strengthen welfare, protection of gig workers

SPM results show narrowing of urban-rural gap KUALA LUMPUR: The 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results show the gap in national average grades between urban and rural candidates narrowing, demonstrating the progress of Malaysia’s education democratisation initiatives. Education Director-General Datuk Dr Mohd Azam Ahmad said the national average grades for urban candidates was 4.40 in 2025, down from 4.47 in 2024, while the grades for rural candidates fell to 4.81 last year from 4.95 the previous year. He said the narrowing of the gap was also the result of the Education Ministry’s commitment to equalising access to education, including efforts to maintain dilapidated schools and the fair deployment of teachers nationwide. Mohd Azam added that the impact of the initiatives was evident in 19 schools in Sarawak’s interior, which also achieved excellent results in last year’s SPM examination. “The measures we have implemented over time have reduced the gap to just 0.41 points, not even a full point. “This reflects our efforts to equalise the achievement of our students, whether in urban or rural areas,” he said when appearing as a guest on the Ruang Bicara programme on Bernama TV on Thursday. – Bernama Unity Week to showcase ethnic diversity PUTRAJAYA: The 2026 Unity Week will be held across six zones nationwide from this month until June, aimed at promoting unity and enhancing public understanding of Malaysia’s rich cultural and ethnic diversity. The opening ceremony is expected to be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on June 13. National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said this year marks the fourth edition of the programme, which carries the theme “Bersama Membina Negara Bangsa”. “Unity Week is not just a signature event of the National Unity Ministry but a vital platform to strengthen harmony and ensure the continued peace of the nation,” he said in a statement. He added that a strong sense of unity serves as the main pillar in maintaining the stability and prosperity of Malaysia Madani. A wide range of activities will be offered to visitors of all ages, including Unity Run, cross-cultural performances and sale of community economy products. – Bernama

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Govt appoints 22 Industrial Court chairpersons, 28 officers to facilitate implementation of Gig Workers Act, function of tribunal and consultative council

court processes also incur additional costs such as travel and fuel. She said retired judges and civil servants could also be engaged as mediators, leveraging their legal expertise and experience. Earlier in her speech, Azalina said the Asian International Arbitration Centre will introduce pro bono commercial mediation for disputes involving claims of up to RM250,000. The initiative is expected to be supported by a panel of independent mediators. – Bernama expanding to include non platform contracting entities.” Ramanan also said the discussions are expected to form the basis for a more transparent, data-driven framework for determining gig worker compensation, supporting fair, balanced and sustainable policymaking. He emphasised that the approach is guided by principles of comprehensive fairness, not only to protect the welfare of gig workers but also to ensure a sustainable and equitable business ecosystem. “The enforcement of the Act also reflects the government’s commitment to a progressive and inclusive legal framework, strengthening social protection and welfare of workers in Malaysia. “The initiative has the potential to serve as a regional reference point in developing a resilient and responsive gig economy ecosystem.” Ramanan also called on all stakeholders, including gig workers, platform providers and industry players, to support the implementation of the Act to ensure a more structured, fair and inclusive future of work. In another development, Ramanan has denied claims by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) that no engagement sessions were held in the drafting of the Gig Workers Act 2025 (Act 872), stressing that extensive consultations had taken place over the past year. Ramanan said nearly 400 engagement sessions were conducted between October 2024 and August 2025, involving a wide range of stakeholders, including platform owners, artistes, actors and industry associations. “The presence of various industry players at the ceremony today reflected the breadth of prior engagements. Earlier, MTUC together with several NGOs and industry players called for a postponement of Act 872, citing insufficient consultation with worker representatives. MTUC said it had also requested a moratorium and discussions with the Human Resources Ministry, but had yet to receive a response.

KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty-two Industrial Court chairpersons have been appointed on an interim basis alongside 28 industrial relations officers to support the initial implementation of the Gig Workers Act 2025 and the establishment of the Gig Workers Tribunal (TPG) and Gig Consultative Council (MPGig). Among those appointed were Datuk Dr Mohd Ghazali Abas as council chairman, Shanmugam Thiagarajan as deputy chairman and Ibrahim Baharom @ Abdul Rahim as secretary, along with other industry players. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr R. Ramanan said the tribunal is a key component of the Act, serving as a platform for fair, swift and cost-effective resolution of contractual disputes. “The tribunal has the jurisdiction to hear cases, mediate disputes and make decisions involving gig workers and contracting entities. “The council has been established as a strategic platform bringing together government

Malaysia is among the earliest countries in Asia to introduce comprehensive legislation protecting gig workers under the Madani government. “The most important matter is the gig conference, with priority given to the minimum income or price floor,” he said, adding that the council chairman will spearhead the process. Ramanan said the decision on the minimum income would be made through a tripartite mechanism involving employers, contracting entities, workers and the government. “It is a tripartite decision. Everyone is involved and they will find the best middle ground. “The study covers minimum income rates, calculation formulas and applicable standards, with the first phase focusing on platform based gig workers before

representatives, gig workers and contracting entities to advise and make recommendations to the government on minimum income rates, payment formulas and sector-based standards,” he said at the presentation of appointment letters and certificates to members of the tribunal and the council yesterday. Ramanan said the council is also empowered to engage stakeholders, collect and analyse data, conduct research and carry out related functions to ensure a balance between worker welfare and industry sustainability. He said the initiatives are expected to benefit more than 1.64 million gig workers nationwide and could indirectly impact up to five million people, including their families. Describing the rollout as a historic milestone, Ramanan said

Ramanan said the initiatives are expected to benefit more than 1.64 million gig workers nationwide and could indirectly impact up to five million people. – BERNAMAPIC

Govt mulls mediation centre to cut legal costs, case backlogs KUALA LUMPUR: The government is mulling the possibility of establishing a Malaysia Mediation Centre (MMC) under the Legal Aid Department to strengthen out-of-court dispute resolution, reduce case backlogs and lower legal costs for the public. through their respective tribunals. She said a Cabinet paper will be tabled soon to seek approval for a more structured framework, including mediator registration and “This is what we want to promote, so disputes can just be resolved at the MMC without having to go to court,” she said after delivering a keynote address at the Commonwealth Legal Education Association Conference here yesterday.

and RM500. It is expensive, even for those in the M40 group like young entrepreneurs who often fall in between, neither eligible for aid nor able to afford high legal fees,” she said. The proposed MMC would initially operate in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, with mediation services also available online to reduce logistical costs. Azalina said the move forms part of broader efforts to improve access to justice in line with current economic challenges, adding that

standardised training modules under the National Legal Academy of the Prime Minister’s Department Legal Affairs Division. “The advantage of mediation is that it costs less than normal court proceedings. In Islam, it is akin to the concept of sulh , a consensus or reconciliation that restores peace.

Azalina added that not all individuals can afford litigation or expensive legal advice, citing the high cost of legal letters and services. “Not everyone can afford to go to court or consult a lawyer. Even a letter of demand can cost between RM300

Law and Institutional Reform Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the initiative aims to streamline mediation systems currently administered separately by various ministries and agencies