05/05/2026

TUESDAY | MAY 5, 2026

5 ‘Prioritise character, ethics in varsities’

o Goal is to produce principled, civic-minded and nationally rooted graduates: Academic

key purpose of higher education – character development. Williams disagreed with attempts to frame morality and ethics as national concepts. “Morality and ethics are not national concepts. “They are universal concepts beyond national borders.” He said while identity may be shaped by cultural and national influences, individuals must retain the freedom to define themselves independently and find like-minded individuals regardless of national or cultural groupings. He also questioned whether morality and identity could realistically be measured, although unethical behaviour within universities could still be monitored through transparency and disclosure mechanisms. “In terms of ethics, basic ethical behaviour could be measured by requiring transparency and disclosure on unethical behaviour such as cheating, plagiarism, qualifications fraud, paper retraction or other misdemeanours and malpractice.”

identity in universities. “Questions of moral, ethical and identity issues in higher education must not be dictated by the government.” Williams, who has more than 30 years of experience in higher education and has served as deputy vice-chancellor at Unirazak and provost at the Malaysia University of Science and Technology, said universities should focus on character development rather than merely producing “industry-ready” graduates. He said the root of the words “ethics” and “ethos” is the Greek word “ethicos”, meaning “character”. “Of course, in universities we aim to promote individuals with good character and for the institution to have a good ethos or character too,” he said, adding that character development could be nurtured through open and reflective learning, intellectual growth through critical thinking and self-actualisation through social engagement. He also said universities that focus solely on employability and commercialisation risk neglecting a

“This could include reflective assignments, ethics-focused projects, behavioural indicators such as academic integrity records and feedback from employers on graduate conduct.” Aw said student surveys, community engagement activities and tracer studies could also help determine whether values-based education is effective beyond the classroom. On April 28, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the national education system must be based on a balance between mastery of knowledge, technological advancement and the strengthening of human values. He said educational institutions play an important role in producing a generation that is “not only knowledgeable, but also possesses strong morals, ethics and identity”. Anwar also said he had asked the Higher Education Ministry to monitor and safeguard the quality of universities. However, economist Prof Geoffrey Williams cautioned against governments dictating morality and

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

produce graduates who are morally grounded, socially responsible and nationally rooted. Aw, who is also an assistant professor and National Education Integration Council member, said the Education Ministry and Higher Education Ministry should continue providing broad strategic frameworks on ethical outcomes and value development without rigid prescriptions, while allowing universities autonomy in implementation. “This balance ensures national coherence while respecting institutional strengths and diversity. The ministries’ role should focus on quality assurance and outcomes monitoring, not micromanagement.” He also said moral, ethical and national identity outcomes could be assessed through curricular and co-curricular mechanisms aligned with MQF 2.0.

PETALING JAYA: Universities risk becoming instruments of ideological conformity if they fail to prioritise character and ethical responsibility, academics say. Acting chief executive and registrar of a Klang Valley private university Aw Yoke Cheng said values-based education is embedded within the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) 2.0, which emphasises holistic learner development beyond academic achievement. “Universities should cultivate integrity, ethical responsibility, respect for diversity and a strong sense of Malaysian identity grounded in constitutional values, including respect for the rule of law and ethical decision-making,” he told theSun . He added that the aim is to

Stop actions tied to 3R: S’gor MB SHAH ALAM: Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari has called on all parties to immediately stop any actions that cross the line, particularly those touching on the 3R sensitivities: race, religion and the royal institution. His remarks come amid mounting public anger over a social media post and caricature deemed insulting to the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, which has triggered widespread condemnation and a wave of police reports nationwide. “High institutions such as the monarchy must be defended as they symbolise unity and stand above political differences,” he said after the Selangor state-level Workers’ Day celebration yesterday. “Even when there are differences, in politics or otherwise, insults and ridicule must be avoided. That is fundamental.” Selangor police chief Datuk Shazeli Kahar said 280 police reports have been lodged nationwide over the April 25 posting, which authorities described as an extreme act of provocation. He added that investigations are being carried out under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955. “The focus of the investigation, conducted jointly with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), is to identify and arrest those responsible for tarnishing the sovereignty of the royal institution.” He also urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow authorities to complete their investigations. Police confirmed the arrest of a local man in his 30s in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, on Sunday in connection with the offensive image. In a separate development, Amirudin said Selangor would conduct a safety audit of high risk drains following recent drowning incidents involving two children, which have raised public concern. He added that the review would cover both structural conditions and environmental factors linked to the incidents. “Safety cannot rest solely on local authorities. It requires cooperation from parents and the community as well.” – Bernama

OFFICIAL OPERATION ... Kuala Lumpur City Hall personnel seize illegally sold goods during an assignment at Jalan Pasar Borong in Kuala Lumpur. – PIC COURTESY OF KUALA LUMPURCITY HALL

Court dismisses appeal challenging decision of Ruler PUTRAJAYA: The Appellate Court yesterday dismissed a lawyer’s appeal challenging the then-Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s refusal of the then-prime minister’s request to declare a state of emergency five years ago. A three-man bench led by Federal Court Judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, sitting with Court of Appeal Judges Datuk Supang Lian and Datuk Dr Alwi Abdul Wahab upheld the High Court’s ruling that the King’s decision cannot be reviewed by the court. conclusive and shall not be challenged or called in question in any court on any ground”. He added that it is for the executive to advise the King on whether the circumstances existed to justify the declaration of an emergency. He also said the court could not exercise its judicial power over matters of national security, adding that policy-related issues such as national security, foreign relations, public order and morality are beyond the institutional competence of the judiciary.

to declare a state of emergency even if advised to do so by the prime minister or the Cabinet. The then-High Court judge Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh (now Chief Justice) ruled that Article 150(8) does not violate the basic structure of the Federal Constitution and cannot be struck down under Article 40(1), which states that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall act on the advice of the Cabinet. Syed Iskandar filed the suit in November 2020, naming the government and 10 others as the defendants. At the proceedings yesterday, Syed Iskandar was represented by lawyers T. Gunaseelan and R. Kengadharan, while Senior Federal Counsel Liew Horng Bin represented the government. Lawyer Datuk Bastian Pius Vendargon appeared for the Malaysian Bar as amicus curiae (friend of the court). – Bernama

On Feb 15, 2024, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur dismissed Syed Iskandar Syed Jaafar Al Mahdzar’s originating summons, which, among others, sought the court’s determination on whether, under Articles 40 and 150 of the Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the authority to refuse

Sequerah said Article 150 (8) of the Federal Constitution states that such matters are non justiciable and the court is barred from inquiring into them. He said the provision requires the King to be satisfied that a grave emergency exists, and that such satisfaction “shall be final and