Latest from Free Malaysia Today
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Management failures worsened January violence, says prison officer
A Taiping Prison officer told a Suhakam inquiry that the overall environment there was 'unfit for both staff and inmates'. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : A Taiping prison officer has criticised the facility's management, saying poor leadership and the inexperience of junior officers contributed to the violent scenes during an inmate relocation exercise in January. Ahmad Rizal, a prison inspector, testifying at a Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) inquiry here today, said many younger officers were ill-equipped to handle high-risk situations and claimed the overall prison environment was 'unfit for both staff and inmates'. He said junior officers were 'not trained or ready' for high-tension operations such as the Jan 17 transfer of more than 100 inmates from Hall B to Hall E. 'I was shocked when I first arrived,' he said, describing the cells as dark and cramped, with barely a few feet of space in each room. Rizal urged Suhakam to recommend improvements to the living conditions at Taiping prison and to consider replacing officers whom he described as unfit to handle volatile situations. He said inmates at other prisons were less likely to lash out due to lower stress levels, citing a more humane environment. Rizal was referring to the root of the Jan 17 incident, where inmates resisted relocation to Hall E after complaining about the lack of proper toilets in the hall's cells. He also alleged that some staff were colluding with inmates to sell banned items. 'We can catch the inmates, but when it comes to officers, we don't have enough proof,' he said. Psychological toll and regrets When shown CCTV footage of the Jan 17 incident, Rizal admitted he lost control and said the experience took an emotional toll on him. 'I couldn't sleep for months. I cried as soon as I got home. I felt like I had failed my family. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to protect them,' he said. He added that he had been undergoing psychiatric treatment since March and is on medication for depression and insomnia. He said his symptoms began in 2023 but worsened during his time at the Taiping prison. He said he had repeatedly asked for a transfer away from high-risk duties, but that his requests were denied. Rizal made these remarks at the Suhakam inquiry into the alleged abuse of more than 100 inmates by around 60 wardens during the Jan 17 relocation. The commission is investigating claims of brutality that allegedly led to the death of one inmate and injuries to several others.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Only ‘minimal force' used, says Taiping prison officer
Suhakam is holding a public inquiry into the alleged abuse of more than 100 inmates by about 60 wardens at Taiping prison on Jan 17. KUALA LUMPUR : A Taiping prison officer testifying in the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia's (Suhakam) inquiry into alleged rights abuse, described 'minimal force' as an action that does not lead to death. Hairie Jumri, who was shown CCTV footage of him repeatedly hitting inmates in an incident on Jan 17, claimed that he was emotionally unstable at the time, but insisted his actions fell within what he considered 'minimal force'. He said the action he and his fellow officers took had been triggered by the inmates who hurled profanities at them and threatened to harm their families. Questioned on whether repeated blows could still be considered minimal force, Hairie said the term was 'subjective'. Suhakam inquiry officer Simon Karunagaram asked the prisons enforcement assistant to define minimal force. Simon: Could you define what is 'minimal force'? Hairie: Not dead. Simon: Let's say I punch your eyes and they swell, your vision becomes blurry three days later, would that be minimal force? Hairie: Yes. Simon: In an image (from the CCTV footage), there was an inmate with blood on his head. Would you say that it was due to minimal action? Hairie: Maybe. Maybe he hit a pole. Maybe it was blood from someone else who knocked his head against a pole. Hairie also disagreed that excessive force had been inflicted on one of the inmates who died during the incident. Asked by Suhakam chairman Hishamudin Yunus why he kicked an inmate who already appeared weak, Hairie admitted that he was not in the right state of mind at the time. Hishamudin: Let's say you were stable and 'sane', you wouldn't do that? Hairie: Yes. Hishamudin: So your action was an action of someone who's not sane? Hairie: Yes. The inquiry into the alleged abuse of more than 100 inmates by about 60 wardens in the Jan 17 incident is scheduled to resume on Aug 6.
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Maybank gets cease and desist order against NUBE
Maybank took exception to NUBE's approach and referred a trade dispute which was later referred to the Industrial Court for adjudication. (Facebook pic) KUALA LUMPUR : A leading commercial bank has obtained a cease and desist order from the Industrial Court to restrain a union from commenting on a case of alleged sexual harassment, pending the outcome of a trade dispute between them. Court chairman Andersen Ong said it was just and necessary to grant the order to Malayan Banking Bhd after considering the actions of the National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) and the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act (IRA) 1967. NUBE is barred from issuing statements to the press or posting them on its website and social media, as well as from organising pickets. 'Parties are to comply with the order forthwith, failing which the court may make further orders as it deems fit and appropriate in the circumstances,' Ong said in the interim award released last week. The trade dispute stemmed from allegations of sexual harassment raised by a former employee against her colleague. The incident was addressed in 2021 but resurfaced in 2024 during an unrelated formal grievance process. Although no formal complaint was lodged in respect of the earlier allegation of sexual harassment, it became the subject of escalating public campaigns and protests by NUBE. Maybank took exception to NUBE's approach and referred a trade dispute which was later referred to the Industrial Court for adjudication. Despite the referral to court, NUBE continued to publish statements and organise pickets related to the allegation of sexual harassment. In response, the bank applied for interim relief under the IRA, seeking an order that NUBE cease and desist from such conduct. Ong said although the court did not possess injunctive powers akin to a civil court, it was empowered to issue interim or ancillary orders to regulate the conduct of parties during ongoing proceedings. He said the objective of such orders was to preserve the status quo, prevent further escalation, and ensure the orderly administration of justice. Ong said the court had the statutory power to regulate processes under the IRA, which includes ensuring that the proceedings before it are not undermined by prejudicial public statements, misinformation, or acts that may affect the administration of justice. He said while trade unions are entitled to represent members and engage in collective action, these rights are not unfettered. Ong said the making of disparaging, unfounded, or defamatory remarks against the employer on social media platforms during picketing fell outside the legitimate scope of trade union activities. He said the court would be rendered 'a toothless tiger' if it could not restrain conduct that jeopardised its proceedings once a matter had been referred. Janice Anne Leo, Chong Jen Hui, and Adrienne Sena appeared for the bank while Ravi Nekoo and Arvinkumar Mohan represented NUBE.
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Anwar wants health ministry to speed up doctor hiring
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government will fast-track the filling of 4,352 permanent positions for government doctors this year. (Freepik pic) PETALING JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the health ministry to expedite the filling of more than 4,000 permanent government doctor positions, according to government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil. Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, said Anwar raised the matter at today's Cabinet meeting, expressing concern that the hiring process was moving too slowly. 'Initially, the health ministry expected most of the positions to be filled by November, but the prime minister felt that timeline was too drawn-out. As a result, the ministry has been asked to fast-track the process. 'There is an urgent need to fill these vacancies. It's not a small number,' Fahmi told a press conference at the communications ministry in Putrajaya today. He said health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad has given his commitment to accelerate and simplify the recruitment process without compromising necessary procedures. On Tuesday, Anwar, while announcing new initiatives for the people, said the government would fast-track the filling of 4,352 permanent positions for government doctors this year, including contract-appointed medical officers. He said the move was driven by the critical need for more doctors in the healthcare sector. The health ministry is also preparing a paper for the Cabinet to address the ongoing nationwide shortage of healthcare personnel.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Cutting RON95 price by 6 sen was not easy, says Anwar
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said those who are unhappy over the 6 sen reduction in RON95 petrol 'didn't hear the full explanation'. PETALING JAYA : It was not easy for the government to decide to slash the price of RON95 petrol, even if only by six sen, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said consideration of the financial implications was why he needed time to deliberate before announcing the price reduction from RM2.05 to RM1.99 per litre on Wednesday. 'Countries like Thailand and Singapore may have adjusted their prices earlier, but ours is still lower, and this is for the benefit of Malaysians. '(You) want to be ungrateful or disagree, it's okay, but please know that this was not an easy decision. 'Some say it's just a six sen difference, but they have not heard the full explanation,' Bernama reported him as saying at the 2025 National Anti-Drugs Day celebration at Dataran Darulaman in Kedah today. Yesterday, opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin said the government's move to lower the price of RON95 petrol to RM1.99 per litre towards the end of the year is 'not thanks to Anwar Ibrahim per se'. Hamzah said the government can only afford to do this because oil prices are dropping globally, adding that many other countries in the region, including Thailand, have lowered their petrol prices over the past few weeks. Anwar also addressed criticism over the government's decision not to extend fuel subsidies to foreign nationals, reiterating that foreigners do not pay taxes. 'I'm puzzled when the opposition says we are burdening foreigners, claiming they too contribute to the country. I don't understand. In what part of the world are foreigners treated the same as citizens?' he said.
