08/02/2026

NATIONAL 3 theSun on Sunday FEB 8, 2026

Outgoing Federal Court judge leaves lasting legacy

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has agreed to provide a 50% toll discount on Feb 14 and 15 in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. He said the discount would be implemented from 12.01am on Feb 14 until 11.59pm on Feb 15, with financial implications of RM19.5 million in compensation to highway concessionaires. He added that the decision was agreed on at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, in line with efforts to PETALING JAYA: The illustrious career of Federal Court Judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan serves as a beacon for young lawyers and judges, showcasing the values, discipline and dedication needed in Malaysia’s legal sphere. As Nallini, the first Indian woman appointed to the Federal Court, prepares to retire later this month, her career stands as a model for aspiring legal professionals, illustrating how dedication, principled decision-making and a commitment to the law can leave a lasting impact on the nation’s judiciary. Legal expert Datuk Baljit Singh Sidhu said Nallini’s career reflects the core judicial values of integrity, courage and fidelity to the Federal Constitution. “Young lawyers and judges can learn the importance of deciding cases on principle, not popularity, and of grounding every decision in clear, reasoned analysis. “Her purposive and rights-centred approach to constitutional interpretation reinforces judicial independence, affirming the court’s role as guardian of constitutional supremacy, especially when fundamental liberties or separation of powers are at stake,” he told theSun . Baljit said Nallini’s journey also underscores the value of experience at the Malaysian Bar, where years in practice bring practical insight, judicial maturity and empathy, qualities essential for fair and effective judging. “Her judgments also offer lessons for legal training, including structured reasoning, constitutional literacy, ethical independence and clarity in judgment writing.” Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research political analyst Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said although Nallini has been involved in numerous controversial cases throughout her career, her rulings were never Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com KUALA The Parliamentary Symposium on Access to Education and Legal Work for Refugees serves as a crucial platform to raise awareness among MPs and the public on the urgent needs of refugees in Malaysia, particularly children and youth, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul. LUMPUR:

Justice Nallini’s career reflects core judicial values of integrity, courage and fidelity to Federal Constitution, says legal expert

Expressway and the Tanjung Kupang toll plaza on the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link. He said highway users are advised to plan their journeys carefully, comply with speed limits and road signages, and make use of the MyPLUS-TTA and TuJu Highway Navigation apps for recommended travel times. He also urged the public to check real-time traffic updates through the official channels of the Malaysian Highway Authority or contact the Traffic Management Centre for the latest information. – Bernama Former Malaysian Bar president Salim Bashir said Nallini presided over numerous significant cases at the apex court during her tenure, including groundbreaking rulings that pushed the boundaries of Malaysian law. He said she epitomised resilience, patience and excellence while her legal writing and choice of words are a rare gift of articulation, evident across the many judgments she has authored in various fields of law. “These judgments will remain enduring monuments to her indelible contributions to the country’s legal landscape. “With wisdom, integrity and courage, Nallini and other senior women judges have broken glass ceilings, inspiring more women and reflecting the judiciary’s ongoing shift towards greater gender representation.” Salim said her dedication to producing high-quality legal literature, her detailed knowledge of the law and her incisive ability to assess the merits of cases have earned widespread praise. “The nuances of her approach offer valuable lessons for junior judges and young lawyers, showing how such exceptional traits can create a ripple effect that strengthens the qualities of the legal community at both the Bench and Bar.”

promote unity among Malaysians of various races and religions. “The discount is expected to help ease travel costs for the public returning to their hometowns or going on holiday during the festive period as well as ahead of Ramadan,” he said in a statement. Nanta said the initiative applies to Class 1 (private) vehicles at all toll plazas and Class 2 vehicles at the Penang Bridge but excludes toll plazas at the country’s borders, namely the Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex on the North-South contentious as they were firmly grounded in the Constitution and the law. “Her latest case was that of activist Heidy Quah, charged under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, in which the Federal Court led by Nallini ruled that while some parts of the original judgment were incorrect, the overall decision was still valid. “As far as I understand, the word ‘annoy’ has been reinstated in the Act, striking a balance that respects the freedom of speech of both the government to take appropriate action and of citizens whose rights are protected under the Constitution. “Ironically, this case is Nallini’s final one before retirement. Yet, it exemplifies the fairness and scope of her judgments, protecting both the government and the plaintiff, in this case Quah, within the bounds of constitutional safeguards.” Azmi said the bench had made its decision with careful consideration of the broader implications for the future. He stressed that this approach demonstrates a key lesson for legal practitioners, which is to always adhere to the Constitution and the law when making decisions. “Throughout her career, even in highly sensitive and high-profile cases, Nallini consistently maintained judicial integrity, never attracting controversy for her rulings.

Govt announces 50% toll rebate for CNY

Education, work needs of refugees raised at symposium

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can debate these issues in Parliament. The masses must understand what’s going on.” Johari said in his speech earlier that Malaysia hosts more than 200,000 refugees, the majority of whom are working-age adults who are not legally permitted to work, while nearly 30% of the refugee population comprises children, many of whom are

after attending the symposium held at the Parliament building. Johari urged MPs to raise the matter with their respective select committees and produce comprehensive reports. He said Parliament would provide space for the issues to be debated to ensure broader understanding. “I’ll give you space so that you

He said many young refugees currently residing in the country have no access to education, posing long-term social challenges if left unaddressed. “If they are not educated and remain here without skills or opportunities, this could potentially contribute to social problems. These are issues that must be taken seriously,” he said

education, Bernama reported. “Today’s symposium invites us to reflect on how allowing refugees to work legally and ensuring that refugee children have access to education can contribute to our nation’s growth. We are here to explore the pathways and mechanisms that can help make this vision a reality.”