
Barriers to Orang Asli rights
A suitable amendment to Article 5(1) of the Federal Constitution will promote sustainable development as well as their rights.
THE human rights of indigenous minorities around the world were the subject of a thought-provoking workshop at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, from May 28 to 29. The Constitutional position of the natives of Sabah and Sarawak and the Orang Asli (the indigenous people) of Peninsular Malaysia was also part of the animated discussion.

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Daily Express
37 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Anwar allowed interim stay, June 16 civil suit vacated
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: V Anbalagan Text Size: The Court of Appeal said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had shown special circumstances justifying the grant of a stay of the trial. PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal has granted Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim an ad-interim stay of a civil suit brought by a former research assistant over an alleged assault. The temporary stay is pending a full hearing of the prime minister's application, which will take place on July 21. Advertisement A three-member bench chaired by Justice Supang Lian said Anwar had shown special circumstances to justify the grant of the application. 'We are of the considered view that under Section 44 of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964, we are empowered to make an ad-interim order to preserve the integrity of the appellant's (Anwar) stay. 'Accordingly, the trial in the High Court will be stayed pending the disposal of the stay application,' said Supang. Also on the panel hearing the application were Justices Faizah Jamaludin and Ahmad Fairuz Zainol Abidin. The bench also clarified that parties need not exchange witness statements on Friday (June 13) as directed by High Court judge Roz Mawar Rozain last week, given today's decision. The trial of the suit was scheduled to take place before Roz Mawar over seven days between June 16 and June 25 after she dismissed Anwar's reference application on grounds that none of the questions posed succeeded in crossing the threshold set out in Section 84 of the Courts of Judicature Act. In her 21-page judgment, she said the application was misconceived as to the jurisdiction of the courts, and was based on speculative doctrines with no constitutional footing. The prime minister wanted the apex court to rule on whether Articles 5(1), 8(1), 39, 40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution grant him qualified immunity from the suit filed by Yusoff Rawther four years ago. The suit filed by Yusoff relates to events which allegedly took place before Anwar took office on Nov 24, 2022. Anwar is appealing to the Court of Appeal against Roz Mawar's refusal to refer eight legal questions arising from the suit to the Federal Court for determination. He is seeking a stay of all proceedings pending the disposal of the appeal. Yusoff, a grandson of the late Penang consumer advocate SM Mohamed Idris, claims he was assaulted at Anwar's home in Segambut in October 2018. He is seeking general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court. Anwar denies the claim and has filed a countersuit. Today, before the bench, lawyer Alan Wong, appearing for Anwar, said the appeal against Roz Mawar's decision would be rendered academic and nugatory if the interim stay was disallowed. 'There is no prejudice to the plaintiff if the trial is suspended. He can be compensated in the event that the plaintiff proves his case,' he added. He said the seven-day trial would also disrupt and cause irreversible harm to the prime minister's executive function. 'It is not an ordinary suit but one laced with political motive,' he added. Counsel Rafique Rashid Ali submitted that the appeal on the reference questions was doomed to fail as they were rhetorical and had no basis in Malaysian jurisprudence. He also said the defendant knew the trial dates as they were fixed on June 6 last year. 'Yet he filed the reference application 23 days before the trial was to start through his new solicitors,' Rafique said, adding that his client should have his day in court as the suit was filed in 2021. Lawyers Shahir Tahir, K Rajasegaran, and SM Kavyaasrini also appeared for Anwar while Nurmustanir Nor and Amirul Ar-Rashid Azman acted for Yusoff. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


The Star
9 hours ago
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‘Adopt balanced approach when handling unlicensed S'gor traders'
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The Star
19 hours ago
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Free access to memorials honouring Malaysian icons for a year
PUTRAJAYA: To boost awareness of the nation's past leaders and icons, the government is making it free to visit 10 national memorials for a year. The National Unity Ministry said the initiative encourages Malaysians to visit the memorials dedicated to national leaders and cultural figures by making Malaysia's political and cultural legacy more accessible. The memorials include those that commemorate key figures such as Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra and Tun Abdul Razak in Kuala Lumpur, Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba in Melaka, and iconic sites like the P. Ramlee Birth House in Penang and Rumah Merdeka in Kedah. In a statement on Monday (June 9), the ministry said the programme aligns with the theme for International Archives Week 2025, 'Arkib Boleh Diakses, Arkib Untuk Semua' (Accessible Archives, Archives for All), and reflects the government's broader agenda to democratise historical awareness. "The initiative aims to bring history closer to the people, particularly the younger generation, and ensure national records and stories are accessible to all levels of society," it said. The ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting community archiving efforts, including oral histories from the Orang Asli and indigenous communities in Sabah and Sarawak. Such efforts, it said, are essential for building a more inclusive and representative national narrative. "Let us embrace the nation's historical heritage, nurture a love for the homeland and strengthen unity through reflection on our shared past," the statement read. National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang described the National Archives of Malaysia (ANM) as a 'guardian of national memory', noting its crucial role in preserving records while unifying the stories of Malaysia's diverse communities. "From the fight for independence to the ongoing journey of national integration, the archives are essential. Without them, history fades, identity blurs and unity weakens," he said. The ANM is a Category A Institutional Member of the International Council on Archives (ICA), a status that provides it with access to global archival collaboration and discourse. - Bernama