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Free Malaysia Today
28-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt shouldn't be allowed to sue for defamation, says ex-senior judge
Former Federal Court judge Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal said political parties and corporations should also not be allowed to sue for defamation. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Only individuals should be allowed to file defamation suits, said former Federal Court judge Harmindar Singh Dhaliwal. Speaking at the 'Defamation Law Reform: Revisiting the Defamation Act 1957' forum here today, Harmindar said it did not make sense for the government to sue its citizens for defamation. 'The government shouldn't be allowed to sue for defamation. 'I cannot fathom how a government can have a governing reputation and yet use the taxpayers' money to sue its own citizens to stifle their criticism. 'It just doesn't make sense to me,' he said at the forum held at the Malaysian Bar's office. Harmindar, who retired last month, cited an 'unusual case' where the Sarawak government was allowed to sue an individual. He was referring to the apex court's landmark ruling on Sept 26, 2018, that the federal and state governments could sue individuals for defamation. The ruling was made in the case involving Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen's appeal against the Sarawak government. Similarly, Harmindar said, several other entities, particularly corporations, should be barred from filing defamation suits. 'I might be controversial here but I said in some of my judgments that defamation suits should be restricted to individuals and not corporations, simply because of the inequality of power between corporations against the individual. 'Political parties, organisations, governments, and corporations should not be allowed to sue for defamation,' he said. Apologies useless Harmindar also said orders for apologies in defamation cases served no real purpose. 'An apology is useless if it does not come from the heart, so why put it in the legislation? It's easier if you order corrections. An apology doesn't mean anything,' he said. The former judge also disagreed with awarding exorbitant amounts in damages in defamation suits. He said that under defamation laws, a claimant's primary concern was vindication, not an excessive amount of money in damages. 'The common law has always been occupied with money as compensation, but defamation law is quite different because what the person seeks is vindication. 'When you win a case, you are vindicated but some courts award millions (in damages); all that is rubbish,' he said.
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
GPS rep urges special PR pass for long-term non-Sarawakians facing deportation after retirement
KUCHING, May 23 — A government backbencher has proposed for the introduction of a special permanent resident (PR) pass for long-term non-Sarawakian residents who have made Sarawak their home. Adam Yii Siew Sang (GPS-Pujut) said that there had been many individuals who have contributed significantly to the state's economy and society through employment, property ownership and family ties who faced the prospect of forced departure upon retirement due to current immigration policies. 'Many have raised families here, served in our public and private sectors, and now proudly call Sarawak their home. Yet, they are not allowed to remain in Sarawak after retirement, even with Sarawakian spouses or children,' he said. Participating in the debate for the motion of thanks for the address by Sarawak Governor Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today, Adam said the current policy had created unnecessary hardship and disrupted family life. 'It is truly a loss for Sarawak, both economically and brain drain, since the family members will follow their uprooted parents. Therefore, I appeal to our Sarawak Government to consider introducing a special permanent resident pass for those who wish to settle down in Sarawak for good,' he added. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Sarawak outlines top priorities in MA63 talks
Sarawak said it remains committed to ensuring that the rights and entitlements of the state are fully upheld. (Bernama pic) KUCHING : The Sarawak government has outlined two key demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as its top priorities in negotiations with the federal government. Deputy minister in the Sarawak premier's department (law, MA63 and state-federal relations) Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said these included the need to expedite discussions on the special grant formula under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution. She said Sarawak was also looking into the matter of increasing its number of parliamentary seats, to better reflect the spirit and intent of MA63. 'These issues have been brought up regularly by the Sarawak government through official meetings and negotiation platforms, including the Mesyuarat Majlis Tindakan Pelaksanaan Perjanjian Malaysia 1963. 'The Sarawak government remains committed to ensuring that the rights and entitlements of the state are fully upheld in accordance with the Federal Constitution, MA63 and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report,' she said during the question-and-answer session at the Sarawak state assembly sitting today. Sharifah Hasidah was responding to a question from Lidam Assan (GPS-Katibas) on the negotiation status of MA63 for Sarawak. She said the Sarawak government had partially resolved matters in respect of the financial review under Article 112D of the Federal Constitution. She said as an interim arrangement, the federal government had agreed to increase the amount of the special grant for Sarawak from RM300 million to RM600 million for a period of five years. 'Nevertheless, the Sarawak government strongly urges that negotiations on the special grant formula be expedited, in the spirit of partnership and in recognition of Sarawak's constitutional rights under the Federal Constitution and MA63,' she said.
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Six honoured with Sarawak Outstanding Worker Award
Abang Johari (centre) and Gerawat on his left in a photo call with the award recipients. — Ukas photo KUCHING (May 18): Six individuals were honoured with the Sarawak Outstanding Worker Award 2025 during the state-level Labour Day celebration held here earlier today. The recipients were recognised across six categories representing both the public and private sectors for their dedication and exemplary service. In the Sarawak Government – Management Category, the award was presented to Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) Quantity Surveying Branch senior assistant director Isabel Sim. For the Sarawak Government – Support Staff Category, Sarawak Premier's Department Human Resource Management and Development Unit general assistant Mohamad Sharif Mohamad Ekbar was recognised. Sarawak State Delevopment Office director Jasni Jubli received the award in the Federal Government – Management Category. Meanwhile, Office of the Federal Secretary of Sarawak office secretary Aidasuraya Bujang Seran was honoured in the Federal Government – Support Staff Category. In the private sector, Leader Steel Sdn Bhd deputy branch manager Tan Hong Kiat was the recipient under the Executive Category, while Amalgamated Batteries Manufacturing (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd warehouse supervisor Eric Kareng was awarded in the Non-Executive Category. Each recipient received RM5,000, along with a plaque and certificate, presented by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the event held at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here. The celebration's organising chairman Datuk Gerawat Gala praised the recipients in his speech. 'As we celebrate Labour Day, let us take a moment to honour the outstanding individuals being recognised at today's (May 17) function. Your hard work, passion, and integrity embody the very best of what Sarawak needs to become a high-income economy. 'Let your achievements be an inspiration to others, especially our younger generation, who will soon take the reins of our economy and society. To them, I say: strive to be outstanding—not for reward, but because your excellence shapes not just your own future but also the future of our beloved Sarawak,' he said. employees Labour Day lead Sarawak Outstanding Worker Award
Malay Mail
18-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Abang Jo announces free university degrees for Sarawakians starting 2026 — full funding for full-time studies
KUCHING, May 18 — Sarawakian workers who wish to pursue full-time undergraduate studies will have the opportunity to do so next year, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the Sarawak government will fully sponsor higher education for eligible Sarawakians who choose to enrol in state-owned higher learning institutions as part of its broader goal to strengthen human capital through lifelong learning. 'We are serious about building our talent pool, which is why we are investing in free higher education for our people starting in 2026. 'I am not making empty promises. I have already secured the funds for this initiative and the Sarawak government will pay for the education. 'All you need to do is just focus on studying to upgrade your skills,' he said when officiating the Sarawak-level Workers' Day celebration at Hikmah Exchange Convention Centre here today. In addition to providing free tertiary education to students starting next year, Abang Johari said the state government has decided to allow working individuals or those who have been previously in the workforce to return for full-time studies. The state-owned higher learning institutions in Sarawak are Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College and Centre for Technology Excellence Sarawak. Later at a press conference, the Premier explained that financial support will be provided as long as the applicants meet the basic eligibility criteria namely that they must hold the 'K' status in their MyKad to prove that they are Sarawakians, be enrolled as full-time students, and are accepted to pursue their studies at the higher-learning institution. 'Yes, the education will be completely free. As long as the applicant is accepted by the university and registered as a full-time student, we will cover the costs. 'There is no age limit. Even if you are 60 years old, you can still apply, as long as you have the 'K' status,' he confirmed. He, however, noted that this initiative does not extend to those who wish to pursue Distance Learning (PJJ). 'PJJ is not covered. It must be full-time studies. If you are working and wish to study part-time through PJJ, it will not be covered. 'We are focusing on those who wish to commit to studying full-time,' he stressed. Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, State Secretary State Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, and Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii. — The Borneo Post
