26/06/2026

FRIDAY | JUNE 26, 2026

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RM2m wrongful dismissal award upheld

o Former directors win final appeal after judges rule sacking done without just cause or excuse

unlawfully dismissed. Their claims initially dismissed by the Industrial Court, while the High Court later rejected their applications for judicial review before the Court of Appeal ruled in their favour. At the Federal Court, Steven Thiru, Khoo Wai Tuck, Janice Ann Leo, Adrienne Sena and Anthanasia Yolanda Bartholome appeared for Acexide Technology, while Gavin Jayapal, Merissa Ann Augustin, Sivanandini Sreegantham, Goh Yee Huey and Fang Huey Yiing represented Woon and Chang. were

Aug 9, 2022 until full settlement. Woon and Chang, together with B.H. Lim, were promoters of Acexide Technology when the company was incorporated in late 1996, with both later becoming shareholders and directors, Bernama reported. In November 2019, Lim, by virtue of his majority shareholding, convened an extraordinary general meeting to remove Woon and Chang as directors. The pair subsequently lodged complaints under Section 20 of the Industrial Relations Act 1967 with the director-general of Industrial Relations, alleging they had been

although the respondents were company directors, they also fell within the definition of “workmen” under the Industrial Relations Act 1967, allowing them to pursue claims for unfair dismissal. In 2024, the Court of Appeal overturned the Industrial Court’s decision and awarded RM893,000 in compensation in lieu of reinstatement to Woon, the former technical director, and RM1.15 million to Chang, the former project director.

unfairly dismissed. A three-member bench comprising justices Datuk Seri Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera, Tan Sri Ahmad Terriruddin Mohd Salleh and Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali dismissed an appeal by Acexide Technology Sdn Bhd and ordered the company to pay RM150,000 in costs.

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has upheld the Court of Appeal’s decision to award more than RM2 million in compensation to two former company directors after finding they were Correctional centre sets record with life-saving course In delivering the unanimous decision, Mohd Nazlan said the appeal was devoid of merit, adding that Woon Kim Choy and Chang Heng Keong had been dismissed without just cause or excuse. He said the court agreed that The appellate court also ordered Acexide Technology to pay interest at 8% per annum on the awards from

17 more charges for Ikram official

BATU GAJAH: The Batu Gajah Correctional Centre has made history as the first prison institution in Malaysia to conduct a certified basic life support and automated external defibrillator (AED) course for prospects, earning a place in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR). Perak Prisons Department director Deputy Commissioner Fayrouz Ahmad Zawawi said the programme involved 42 prospects, comprising 30 women and 12 men. “Basic skills such as respiratory assistance, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an AED are invaluable, as prompt action during the first few minutes of an emergency can mean the difference between life and death. “The prospects’ participation in the programme shows that every individual has the capacity to change, improve themselves TAWAU: Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has detained 20 men and seized 3,014 boxes of contraband cigarettes worth RM24.2 million including unpaid duties in waters south of Pulau Sipadan, Semporna. Sabah and Labuan MMEA director First Admiral Khairul Anuar Abd Majid@Razali described the operation as the largest cigarette seizure in the agency’s history. He said the operation, conducted on Tuesday under Ops Sejahtera and Ops Tiris following intelligence reports, led to the interception of a suspicious Malaysian registered cargo vessel about seven nautical miles south off Pulau Sipadan. Enforcement personnel observed brown boxes being transferred from the cargo vessel to an unregistered boat before boarding and inspecting the vessel, where multiple brands of contraband cigarettes were discovered. The suspects, aged between 26 and 62, comprised Malaysians as well as Indonesian, Filipino, Myanmar and Indian nationals. Authorities also confiscated navigation and communication equipment, including GPS devices, radar systems and radios. Khairul Anuar said the total value of the seizure, including the cargo vessel, was estimated at RM65.7 million. The case is being investigated under the Customs Act 1967, Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 and the Immigration Act 1959/1963. Preliminary investigations found that the cigarettes were smuggled from Vietnam and were intended for distribution in Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. – Bernama The Malaysian MMEA makes RM24.2 million cigarette seizure

build a better future,” he said. Meanwhile, Batu Gajah Hospital director Dr J. Jayakumaran said the programme was the result of a strategic collaboration between the correctional centre and the hospital, with training conducted by emergency physicians and medical officers from the Health Ministry. “The idea for the programme came after the hospital explored initiatives that could benefit inmates. Following discussions with Batu Gajah Correctional Centre director Assistant Commissioner of Prisons S. Tanabal, the proposal was accepted and the course was implemented. “We later submitted the programme to MBOR as it is the country’s first certified lifesaving course involving prospects, and Batu Gajah Hospital is honoured to receive the recognition.” – Bernama

and make a meaningful contribution to society,” he said after officiating at the closing ceremony of the course at the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre. Fayrouz said the MBOR recognition reflected the Prisons Department’s commitment to implementing innovative rehabilitation programmes that equip prospects with practical knowledge and life skills. He said rehabilitation is not only about producing law-abiding individuals, but also about developing skilled and knowledgeable people who can contribute positively to the country. “This achievement is not merely about setting a record. More importantly, it reflects the commitment and capability of the country’s rehabilitation institutions in giving prospects a meaningful second chance to

KUALA LUMPUR: An official of Pertubuhan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram), who is already facing 158 charges of using his position for gratification, was charged at the Sessions Court yesterday with 17 additional counts of money laundering involving more than RM17.9 million between 2021 and 2025. Fakhrudin Abd Karim, 57, pleaded not guilty to the charges. “I understand the charges and wish to claim trial,” he said after each charge was read out. The charges include allegedly laundering RM10.54 million by transferring proceeds of unlawful activities from the bank account of Ehsan Cares Solution to MAG Builders Sdn Bhd as payment for proposed construction of a bungalow at his residence in Bandar Kundang, Gombak. He is also accused of transferring RM2.66 million from the company’s account to settle his credit card bills, as well as RM4.7 million to Wiranusa Corporation Sdn Bhd and Promosi Mantap Sdn Bhd to purchase luxury vehicles. The vehicles involved were a Mercedes Benz AMG S63, Range Rover SVA, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Toyota Alphard and a Lexus RX300, with the latter allegedly paid for via a cheque issued from Fakhrudin’s personal bank account to Aspirasi Utara Sdn Bhd. The offences were allegedly committed at two banks in Bangsar and Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, between Jan 6, 2021 and April 21, 2025. The charges, framed under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, carry a maximum jail term of 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the proceeds of unlawful activities or RM5 million, whichever is higher, upon conviction. DPP Datuk Ahmad Akram Gharib appeared for the prosecution, while Datuk N. Sivananthan represented the accused. Earlier, Ahmad Akram applied for the case to be transferred to the Shah Alam Sessions Court for a joint trial with the 158 existing charges faced by Fakhrudin, Bernama reported. The prosecution also sought bail of RM500,000 in two sureties, while maintaining the earlier conditions requiring the accused to surrender his passport and refrain from interacting with witnesses. Sivananthan did not object to the application. Azrul allowed the transfer, maintained the existing bail conditions and fixed Aug 7 for mention. On June 16, Fakhrudin pleaded not guilty at the Shah Alam Sessions Court to 158 charges of using his position for gratification involving more than RM98 million between 2021 and 2025.

The suspects who were arrested during the operation comprised Malaysians as well as Indonesian, Filipino, Myanmar and Indian nationals. – PIC COURTESY OF MMEA