Lawyers gather at Palace of Justice to defend judicial independence
Despite overcast skies and a light drizzle, participants of the 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' arrived in formal attire, donning suits and ties.
Malaysian Bar Council secretariats in safety jackets were seen distributing blue caps and preparing to guide the crowd for the 2.6km march.
Set to begin at 2pm, the demonstration saw the presence of several high-profile legal practitioners, including former Bar president Karen Cheah Yee Lynn, prominent human rights lawyer Siti Kasim, and Kota Baru member of parliament Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
Police were observed monitoring the perimeter of the gathering as the participants prepared for the march.
The march will culminate in the submission of a memorandum containing four key demands.
These include the immediate appointment of top judicial posts, the disclosure of Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) meeting minutes, the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into alleged interference in the judiciary, and action on widespread judicial vacancies.
On July 12, Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad confirmed receiving an application from the Malaysian Bar to organise a march and peaceful assembly.
He said the application was submitted to the Putrajaya district police headquarters last Wednesday.
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The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
‘Take humane approach in solving strays crisis'
THE country is facing a serious stray dog overpopulation problem, one that experts and activists say has escalated into a national issue requiring immediate action by the Federal Government. Animal welfare groups are sounding the alarm as the problem is straining their resources and raising serious ethical and animal welfare concerns. Social activist S. Shashi Kumar said the crisis reflected not only a breakdown in animal welfare policy but also a deeper failure of governance. 'This is no longer just a local authority issue, but a national crisis. 'What Malaysia needs is urgent federal intervention and structured collaboration with NGOs (non-governmental organisations), as practised in progressive nations like Singapore,' he said. Shashi said many local councils were using inhumane and outdated methods of stray population control, drawing criticism for what he described as the normalisation of cruelty under the guise of management. Yesterday about 200 people gathered outside the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in Putrajaya, calling for the government to stop the culling of stray dogs. Shashi presented a memorandum to a PMO representative, calling for a reform of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 2015 and to look into their proposals for humane methods of managing the stray animal. Efforts taken by NGOs Scene from a recent protest outside Wisma Negri against the proposed culling of stray dogs in Negri Sembilan. — Filepic In April this year, a nationwide coalition of 39 animal welfare organisations submitted three proposals to Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) to address the stray population crisis for both cats and dogs, seeking balance in public safety and comfort, as well as to reform the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 2015. The key components in the proposal were to enforce the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return-Manage (TNVRM) programme in a large scale, set up government-run stray animal shelters nationwide and use hybrid approach to address public complaints on stray animal disturbance. Shashi, who is also Global Human Rights Federation president, said the current methods used by the local councils to manage strays, especially dogs, included culling. Killing animals, he said, was no longer acceptable in a civilised society. There is a need to have more compassion, modern governance and sustainable public policies in handling the matter, he added. Kalaivanan: NGOs should be allowed to bail out dogs for free as they are helping the government solve a problem. 'TNVRM strategy, which involves neutering the dogs and returning them to where they were picked up, can avoid the 'vacuum-effect' where removed animals are replaced by new unsterilised ones,' said Shashi. 'Government-operated shelters in every district can provide temporary care and protection for stray animals, serving as a long-term investment in public safety and health, as well as animal education and welfare.' He said that as some local councils have set up cat shelters, there should also be dog shelters. 'The third suggestion is a hybrid approach in handling strays that are reported as disturbance, specifically dogs. 'Local councils can work with animal welfare NGOs to assess problematic dogs, where the canines posing any risk can be removed from public spaces and sent to a shelter to be rehabilitated, while others in the same pack undergo TNVRM,' he said. Shashi said the proposals were supported by the 39 organisations. Most dog shelters in the country, he said, were currently run by individuals or community groups with limited financial means and minimal government support, if any. According to him, many of these shelters are on the brink of closure and unable to sustain the rising cost for food, medical care, and daily operations. Shashi describes the overpopulation of stray dogs a national crisis that demands urgent government intervention. 'Thousands of animals depend on these shelters for survival. Without immediate financial intervention, their lives will hang in the balance,' he said. StarMetro has reached out to the ministry and is awaiting its comments. Call for free bailout There is a nationwide movement called Stray Lives Matter, to end the abuse and killing of homeless animals. A campaign began in October last year, following a public outcry after a female stray dog in Terengganu named Kopi was shot dead by a Besut District Council officer during an animal control operation. The dog had previously gained Internet fame for a video showing her playing gently with a kitten. Public outrage escalated into legal action and calls for reform of the country's animal welfare laws through a full-fledged national movement. Also speaking on behalf of the coalition is Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia president R. Kalaivanan. Rajesh: It's crucial to amend AWA 2015 and remove any powers granted to local authorities to shoot and kill. In a media statement, he said one of the main barriers to rescuing stray dogs across the country was the bailout fees imposed by local councils, ranging from hundreds to thousands of ringgit per dog. He said NGOs should be allowed to bail out dogs for free as they were helping the government solve a problem in the community. 'While we are willing to help save the lives of these animals, the burden cannot fall solely on the NGOs and their shelters. 'It should be a shared responsibility between the government, NGOs and shelters. 'The government must take its fair share of responsibility in supporting animal welfare efforts, especially when it comes to financial backing and creating policies that enable NGOs to perform their roles effectively,' he said. NGOs, he said, must be given sufficient time to find shelters or permanent homes for rescued animals. 'We propose that NGOs be given at least 14 days to find suitable arrangements for each animal, ensuring that every rescued animal has a proper chance for rehabilitation and adoption. 'The overpopulation of stray dogs is caused by the local authorities' lack of management, and the solution seems to be inhumane methods including reactive culling of the animals,' he noted. Reform of AWA Shashi, who is also Selangor Furry Future Association president, is seeking amendments to AWA 2015 and an end to inhumane practices by local authorities in controlling the population of stray animals, especially dogs. While the Act offered a glimmer of hope in animal welfare, he said it had loopholes that needed to be amended. AWA 2015 contains 64 sections largely directed at pet owners and individuals who commit acts of cruelty or fail to comply with prescribed regulations, he said. While the Act emphasises responsible ownership and the prevention of animal cruelty, it lacks provisions that hold local council officers accountable for the inhumane capture or brutal treatment of stray animals, he pointed out. Vulnerable stray dogs continue to be abused or killed across the country for just wanting to live, he added. With the increasing number of stray dogs, Shashi said animal rescuers, independent feeders and shelter operators were working tirelessly under immense financial and emotional strain to care for the animals. 'Some stray dogs caught by local council dog catchers risk being mistreated or killed, if not adopted in time. 'Some local councils charge exorbitant fees to release captured dogs. 'This leaves the animal rescuers facing heartbreaking decisions concerning dogs' lives,' he said. According to lawyer Rajesh Nagarajan, certain provisions in AWA 2015 are vague, lhence it is used by the authorities in a manner not in line with the original intention. 'It also lacks some provisions needed in this age in line with latest developments. 'Section 30(1) and (2) read together has been construed by the authorities as allowing the shooting and killing of dogs.' He said that when this Act was proposed in Parliament in 2015, it was clearly stated that there would be no more shooting of dogs. 'Despite this, the authorities are still relying on the Act to shoot and kill stray dogs,' he said. 'The solution to this problem,' Rajesh said, 'is in amending the offending provision and removing any powers granted to local authorities to shoot and kill.' The Veterinary Services Department should be the only authority empowered to put dogs to sleep in humane ways, he said. 'Further, Section 34 of the Act grants powers to animal welfare officers in situations involving animals in distress. 'The Act allows an officer to destroy an animal at their own discretion, without requiring certification or confirmation from a registered veterinary surgeon. 'These are powers involving the lives of animals and ought not be a power that is delegated,' he highlighted. Rajesh said Section 4 of the Act provided for the establishment of the Animal Welfare Board (AWB), but noted that its membership, which meant to advocate animal welfare, remained limited in scope, such as head of agencies. 'To ensure meaningful representation, the board should entirely comprise members of civil society. 'It is crucial that the AWA 2015 undergo comprehensive reforms to address and correct these shortcomings,' he said.
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
NGO submits memorandum calling for immediate halt to the culling of strays
ABOUT 200 people gathered outside the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in Precinct 1, Putrajaya, calling for an immediate halt to the culling of stray dogs. Among them was social activist and Global Human Rights Federation president S. Shashi Kumar, who handed a memorandum to a representative from the PMO. The memorandum called for the Federal Government to reform the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and look into the federation's proposals for humane methods of managing strays. Shashi said the increasing number of stray animals, particularly dogs, was a national crisis that must be addressed by the government. 'Instead, the government has taken the shortcut approach by killing these animals. 'These strays are also caught (by local councils) and placed in pounds with heavy 'bail' fees. Local councils charge up to RM2,000 per dog, which is extortion,' he claimed. Shashi said the group wanted the government to intervene by working with non-governmental organisations championing animal welfare to solve the problem, including allocating funds towards the matter. The handover was witnessed by the group, who held up banners and placards in a show of support. Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Thai government unveils extensive financial relief for border conflict victims
BANGKOK: The Thai government has announced a comprehensive package of relief measures for individuals and officials affected by the recent escalation of conflict along the Thai-Cambodian border. The announcement comes as ministries coordinate a wide-ranging response, including financial assistance and a significant diplomatic downgrade. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, confirmed that interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, has instructed relevant agencies to swiftly compile casualty figures. This includes details of citizens and personnel killed, injured, and those who suffered property damage. This information will then be sent to provincial authorities to finalise numbers for immediate financial compensation and relief. Initial aid will be drawn from the Prime Minister's Office Fund to provide immediate relief, with further comprehensive measures to be rapidly assessed and returned to the Ministry of Interior and Prime Minister's Office for approval. The Ministry of Finance has mandated specialised financial institutions to implement emergency financial measures aimed at alleviating hardship caused by the border unrest. These initiatives encompass debt moratoria, reduced interest rates and the provision of low-interest loans. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira stated that the unrest has severely impacted the safety and well-being of local residents, with significant economic and social repercussions for surrounding communities. The conflict has led to considerable property damage and severely disrupted the livelihoods and businesses of people in the affected areas. Acknowledging these severe impacts, the government has prioritised urgent care for its citizens, instructing various financial institutions to implement a broad spectrum of relief measures. The Ministry of Finance affirmed its commitment to mitigating the conflict's impact, ensuring that affected citizens and businesses have adequate access to funding for their livelihoods, operations, and recovery. These comprehensive measures are designed to reach a wide range of beneficiaries, including farmers, small entrepreneurs, and the general public, aiming to reduce costs, enhance liquidity, and support the repair and restoration of assets to enable efficient business resumption. Affected individuals can apply for assistance through the relevant financial institutions immediately, with the Ministry of Finance closely monitoring the situation to introduce further appropriate measures as needed. Key financial support initiatives include: Government Savings Bank: Offering principal payment deferment until December 2025 for affected individuals (with partial interest payments), along with two low-interest retail loan programmes and a specific loan scheme for SMEs, including fee waivers Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives: Providing emergency expense loans up to 50,000 baht (US$1,546) (for farmers, with a six-month interest grace period) and rehabilitation loans up to 500,000 baht for repairs and quality of life improvement Government Housing Bank: Introduced a 200 million baht project offering highly preferential interest rates (as low as 0.01 per cent per annum) for borrowers with severe injuries, permanent disabilities, or damaged/destroyed homes Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand: Launched a 'Pause, Reduce, Extend, Add' programme for affected SMEs, including principal payment suspensions, reduced installments, extended repayment periods and low-interest capital loans Export-Import Bank of Thailand: Providing urgent relief measures such as extended debt repayment periods, reduced interest rates, and increased temporary credit lines, alongside various liquidity and cost reduction measures for new market entry and export support Islamic Bank of Thailand: Implemented 'IBank Never Leaves You' measures, offering principal and profit payment suspensions and additional funding for home and business rehabilitation with favourable profit rates Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation: Offering payment deferrals for guarantee fees and instalments for existing clients, and new credit guarantee schemes (SMEs Power Trade & Biz, SMEs Micro Biz) worth billions of baht to provide crucial liquidity In response to the volatile border situation, several key ministries have been issued specific directives: Ministry of Education: Ordered the temporary closure of schools in high-risk areas Ministry of Public Health: Transformed local hospitals into temporary field hospitals and successfully evacuated all patients and injured individuals to safer facilities Ministry of Social Development and Human Security: Tasked with overseeing initial relief efforts and basic humanitarian assistance Ministry of Digital Economy and Society: Instructed to monitor and correct the spread of false information related to the situation Ministry of Interior: Directed to collaborate with the military in affected areas to ensure comprehensive public care Diplomatic Downgrade and Financial Support On the diplomatic front, the government has confirmed a downgrade in relations with Cambodia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to recall Thailand's Ambassador to Cambodia and to send the Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand back to Phnom Penh. Jirayu described this as 'the most severe measure in diplomacy'. - The Nation/ANN ALSO READ:
