Latest from Free Malaysia Today
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Ex-VP of GLC awarded RM1.3mil for wrongful dismissal
The Kuala Lumpur Industrial Court awarded RM1.3 million to Syed Agil Syed Hashim for wrongful dismissal by Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A government-linked company has been ordered by the Kuala Lumpur Industrial Court to pay RM1.3 million in compensation to its former vice-president for wrongful dismissal. The Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation Sdn Bhd is the government's lead development agency for the bio-based industry in Malaysia. Its termination of claimant Syed Agil Syed Hashim's employment was initially upheld by another industrial court in 2023. However, the Kuala Lumpur High Court quashed that award in January and ordered that a new chairman preside over the case for the sole purpose of determining the quantum of compensation payable. Court chairman Pravin Kaur Jessy, who took over the case, noted that the High Court had in its ruling made a finding that the claimant was dismissed without just cause of excuse in 2020, after 14 years of service. Syed Agil, who started his job in 2006 with a basic salary of RM14,000 a month, was earning RM39,600 when asked to leave in 2020. 'By virtue of this finding, it necessarily follows that the claimant's employment was not on a fixed-term basis but was permanent in nature. 'This court therefore accepts that the claimant was in continuous and permanent employment for a period of 14 years, until his dismissal on September 30, 2020,' Pravin said in the award handed down on June 19. She also noted that her sole task, as ordered by the High Court, was to assess the appropriate compensation payable in lieu of reinstatement and back wages. Pravin said the claimant was entitled to 14 months' wages as compensation in lieu amounting to RM554,400, based on his final drawn basic salary. For back wages, she awarded 24 months' salary, amounting to RM760,320, after a 20% deduction for post-dismissal earnings. The total award comes to RM1,314,720. She also ordered the company to settle all statutory contributions to the relevant authorities within 30 days of the award. Nur Zur'Ain Mat Ramlee appeared for the claimant, while Abdul Aziz Hamzah represented the company.
Free Malaysia Today
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Court rejects Netanyahu's request to postpone graft trial hearings
Supporters of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describe the long-running trial as politically motivated. (EPA Images pic) JERUSALEM : An Israeli court today rejected prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's request to postpone giving testimony in his corruption trial, after US President Donald Trump said the case should be cancelled. Netanyahu's lawyer on Thursday asked the court to excuse the leader from hearings over the next two weeks, saying he needed to concentrate on 'security issues' after Israel's 12-day war with Iran. The Jerusalem district court said in a judgement published online that 'in its current form (his request) does not provide a basis or detailed justification for the cancellation of the hearings'. Trump on Wednesday described the case against Netanyahu as a 'witch hunt', saying the trial 'should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero'. Netanyahu has thanked Trump for his support in Israel's brief war against Iran, which ended with a ceasefire on June 24. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing and his supporters have described the long-running trial as politically motivated. In a first case, he and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting more than US$260,000 worth of luxury goods such as cigars, jewellery and champagne from billionaires in exchange for political favours. In two other cases, Netanyahu is accused of attempting to negotiate more favourable coverage from two Israeli media outlets. During his current term since late 2022, Netanyahu's government has proposed a series of far-reaching judicial reforms that critics say were designed to weaken the courts. Netanyahu has requested multiple postponements in the trial since it began in May 2020, citing the war in Gaza which started in 2023, later fighting in Lebanon and this month the conflict with Iran.
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
‘Buy Malaysian' campaigns to boost local products, fruits
Armizan Mohd Ali, the minister for domestic trade, with a visitor to the ministry's cost of living carnival in Johor Bahru today. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A government campaign to buy Malaysian goods, 'Jom Beli Lokal 2025' has been launched to support local businesses and reduce dependence on imports, while a campaign to buy local fruits will be launched next week. The 'Jom Beli Lokal' campaign, by the ministry of domestic trade and cost of living, is aimed at boosting sales of local products, strengthening the domestic economy, and supporting small enterprises. On July 5, the agriculture and food security ministry will launch its 'Eat Local Fruits' campaign in Tawau, Sabah, which will later be expanded nationwide. The Jom Beli Lokal initiative will help increase income for local entrepreneurs and showcases the quality of local products as competitive alternatives,' said domestic trade and cost of living minister Armizan Mohd Ali at the launch in Iskandar Puteri today, reported Bernama. The campaign will involve the government, private sector, and civil society, with promotions at shops and expanded efforts through online platforms such as TikTok, Shopee, and Lazada. Previous campaigns in 2023 and 2024 have generated RM347 million in sales from nearly 700,000 product listings online. Agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu (left) with items made of pineapple fibre at a Pineapple Day exhibition in Johor Bahru today. (Bernama pic) In Johor Bahru, agriculture and food security minister Mohamad Sabu said the government will strengthen the Eat Local Fruits campaign to reduce reliance on imported fruits and boost farmers' income. He urged all federal and state agencies to serve local fruits at official events to show support for farmers. Local fruits such as pineapples, durians, jackfruit, and avocados have shown strong domestic and export market potential, he said. The campaign comes after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered government departments to stop using imported food at official events. Mohamad also praised the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board for raising pineapple output beyond RM1 billion and commended Sarawak's development of the Sarawak Gold 1 variety, which matures faster and is disease-resistant.
Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Apex court to hear Orang Asli's appeal over desecration of ancestral graves
Rosli Jedut and six other Orang Asli are seeking compensation from Agrobest (M) Sdn Bhd and two employees for the alleged destruction of ancestral graves at Kampung Batu 20, Pekan, eight years ago. PUTRAJAYA : The Federal Court has agreed to hear an appeal by seven Orang Asli villagers from Pekan against a private firm on the alleged destruction of their ancestral graves for agriculture development. Rosli Jedut, Atan Baro, Melah Hamid, Awang Bako, Esah Wir, Kasim Awang, and Majib Kasim filed a lawsuit against Agrobest (M) Sdn Bhd and two employees, seeking compensation after the graves in Kampung Batu 20 were allegedly overrun by bulldozers eight years ago. They claimed the company and employees had disrespected their ancestors and culture. The Kuantan High Court ruled in 2023 that the company was liable for the wrongful act and awarded each of the plaintiffs RM20,000 as damages. However, the appeals court set aside the decision last year, ruling that the seven men lacked the legal standing to file the suit. It said they no longer had possession and control of the land. Lawyers Steven Thiru and Ananthan Moorthi told FMT that a panel of three apex court judges, led by Justice Nordin Hassan, had on Thursday granted the seven men leave to appeal in their bid to reinstate the High Court ruling. Also on the bench hearing the application were Justices Abu Jais Bakar and Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera. 'The Federal Court held that important questions of law were raised concerning the rights of the Orang Asli in Peninsular Malaysia, which required a full determination by the highest court,' they said. The questions of law touch on issues relating to locus standi, the extinguishment of rights, and duty of care. Lawyers Henry Ngok and Ng Si Hui appeared for the company and employees.
Free Malaysia Today
11 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Thailand orders heightened vigilance after bomb scare in the south
Police found an improvised time bomb in a car being driven from Songkhla to Phuket earlier this week. (Phuket information centre pic) BANGKOK : All Thai government agencies have been placed on high alert and urged to heighten vigilance following recent bomb threats in the southern tourist provinces of Phuket and Phang Nga. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said reports from relevant agencies suggested that the incidents were attempts to create unrest in the region. The prime minister convened a meeting with the national police chief, the commander of the tourist police, and the permanent secretary of the tourism and sports ministry to assess the situation. 'Every precautionary measure has been implemented to ensure public safety and prevent harm. However, the government remains vigilant. The National Security Council will continue to oversee and intensify operations,' she said on social media. Earlier this week, Thai media reported that a car travelling from Songkhla to Phuket was stopped in Phang Nga, where police found a homemade time bomb and arrested two suspects. Suspicious devices were later found in Phuket and Krabi, including near the airport. Though the devices caused no injuries and lacked destructive capabilities, they raised security concerns in the region. Police bomb squads confirmed that the objects were designed to resemble explosive devices, likely intended to instil fear and disrupt normal activities.
