Latest from Free Malaysia Today
Free Malaysia Today
2 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
2 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
2 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.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno man says low turnout at ‘Turun Anwar' rally won't look good for PAS
Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said PAS will be concerned about whether it can mobilise a large crowd of its supporters to attend tomorrow's rally. PETALING JAYA : Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi says PAS's pride will be bruised if tomorrow's anti-government rally fails to attract at least 500,000 participants. PAS is spearheading the rally in Kuala Lumpur calling for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to step down, with key opposition figures such as former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin set to deliver speeches. PAS MP Shahidan Kassim has predicted a turnout of between 300,000 and 500,000 people at the 'Turun Anwar' rally, while PN deputy chairman Hamzah Zainudin has claimed that the event could attract one million participants. Puad said that while the rally's goal is to pressure Anwar to resign, PAS would be more concerned about whether it can mobilise a large crowd of its supporters to attend. 'PAS is nervous – not about whether Anwar will step down or not – but whether 500,000 people will attend,' he said in a Facebook post. 'Around 90% of the turnout will depend on PAS members, and PAS's pride will be hurt if the turnout is less than 500,000 people.' On July 12, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the party was mobilising its members at every parliamentary and state level ahead of the rally. The rally's participants will gather at five locations – Masjid Negara, Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru and Sogo shopping mall – before marching to Dataran Merdeka. Police have said no roads will be closed in the capital city due to the rally, which is expected to be attended by between 10,000 and 15,000 participants, but diversions may be made. Puad, who is also the Johor assembly speaker, claimed that tomorrow's rally would be more effective if Umno took part in it. He noted how PAS and Umno helped force the Pakatan Harapan government to reverse its decision to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) after a key protest. The anti-ICERD rally in December 2018, which was organised by a coalition of Umno, PAS and Malay-Muslim NGOs, saw more than 30,000 participants gather at Dataran Merdeka. They claimed that ICERD was a threat to Malay rights and Islam.
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
KL roads to be diverted for ‘Turun Anwar' rally
Participants at tomorrow's 'Turun Anwar' rally will gather at five locations before marching to Dataran Merdeka. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Several roads in the Kuala Lumpur city centre are set to be diverted tomorrow because of the 'Turun Anwar' rally. Acting Kuala Lumpur police chief Usuf Jan Mohamad said the diversions, which will occur from time to time 'depending on the situation', are to ensure smooth traffic flow and the safety of all road users. In a statement, Usuf said the rally's participants will gather at five locations – Masjid Negara, Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru and Sogo shopping mall – before marching to Dataran Merdeka. Among the roads expected to be diverted are: Jalan Maharajalela/slip road to Jalan Syed Putra; Jalan Kinabalu/U-Turn to Public Bank; Sultan Mohamad roundabout; Jalan Kinabalu/slip road to Bukit Aman Tunnel; Jalan Kinabalu/slip road to Dato Onn roundabout; Dato Onn roundabout (left and right lanes); Dato Onn roundabout from the direction of Jalan Parlimen; Jalan Sultan Salahuddin/Dato Onn roundabout; Jalan Kuching/slip road to Jalan Sultan Ismail; Jalan Kinabalu (from Segambut roundabout towards Dato Onn roundabout); Jalan Kinabalu (from Masjid Negara to Dato Onn roundabout); Jalan Lebuh Pasar Besar/Jalan Hang Kasturi; Jalan Hishamuddin/Jalan Raja; Jalan Parlimen/Jalan Raja Laut; Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman/ Jalan Tun Perak; and Lebuh Ampang/Jalan Tun Perak. Usuf advised the public to plan their journeys to avoid being stuck in traffic. He also suggested that those who plan to join the rally use public transport. Yesterday, Usuf said no roads would be closed in the capital city ahead of the rally, which is expected to be attended by between 10,000 and 15,000 participants. Perikatan Nasional, which is organising the event to push for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's resignation, expects up to 300,000 participants. The police are deploying more than 2,000 personnel to provide security for the gathering.
