Judges must seek to be right, not to be popular, says Chief Justice

 Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh says social media outrage is a threat to judicial independence, and urges the public to read judgments before passing verdicts.

Malaysia’s Chief Justice, Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, has urged the public to read court judgments, including any dissenting opinion, before forming a view. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Social media outrage and trial by public opinion pose a growing threat to judicial independence, says the Chief Justice, Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, who urged judges to focus on delivering justice rather than on winning public approval.

Speaking at an academic lecture for law students at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin in Kuala Terengganu today, he said the judiciary must distinguish between public confidence, which it must learn, and public approval, which it must never chase.

“Our job as judges is not to be popular. Our job is to be right,” he said in his lecture on whether the judiciary can survive the court of public opinion.

He said lengthy judgments were often reduced to screenshots and circulated online, with people forming strong opinions without reading the court’s reasoning. “I would urge you, whatever the case, to read the judgment itself, including the dissent where there is one, before forming a view.”

Wan Ahmad Farid said courts were frequently praised as independent when their decisions favoured one side, but accused of being compromised when rulings went the other way. “That is not analysis. It is pure, unadulterated partisanship at its ugliest.”

He cited the judiciary’s troubled history, including the 1988 judicial crisis and the 2007 “correct, correct, correct” video controversy, saying public suspicion could sometimes be justified. The judicial institution must acknowledge its shortcomings and rebuild public trust through honest self-correction, he said.

The Chief Justice, Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, poses with faculty and students of Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin in Kuala Terengganu, where he delivered a lecture today. (Facebook pic)

“An institution that cannot speak honestly about its own history cannot ask for trust,” the chief justice said.

He cautioned that anticipated online backlash could influence judicial decisions, compromising independence even without direct interference.

Wan Ahmad Farid called for plain-language summaries of judgments, timely publication, transparent complaints procedures and a credible judicial code of ethics.

He said criticism of judicial decisions was healthy, but personal attacks and attempts to portray judges as enemies could erode respect for the institution.

“The court of public opinion operates on popularity and sometimes unverified data. The court of law operates on legality.” Asked whether the judiciary could survive public scrutiny, he gave an unequivocal answer: “Yes.” - FMT

Probe video showing sexual abuse of cat, says animal welfare group

 Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia says there should also be an investigation into the circulation of the disturbing footage.

Kalaivanan Ravichandran urged authorities to take decisive action if the allegations are proven.

PETALING JAYA:

An animal welfare group has called for an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of a cat, a video of which is circulating on social media.

Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia president Kalaivanan Ravichandran said the act, if true, would “constitute a grave form of animal abuse” that warranted stern action under the law.

The authorities should identify those involved, verify the footage, and secure all digital evidence.

“Immediate priority must also be given to locating the cat and ensuring its safety,” Kalaivanan said in the statement.

He also called for an investigation into the circulation of the disturbing footage on social media. - FMT

Isis targets children through online games, says Ayob Khan

 The former deputy IGP says police recently arrested children aged 12, 14 and 15 who were recruited online and taught to carry out terrorist attacks.

Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said some of the children were falsely taught that killing police officers, soldiers and government officials was permissible in Islam.

PETALING JAYA:

Children as young as 12 have been recruited by extremists through online games such as Roblox, even as the Islamic State group (Isis) faces declining influence, says counter-terrorism expert Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

Extremists would befriend children on gaming platforms before inviting them to join private groups where they are taught to carry out attacks, said Ayob, a former deputy inspector-general of police who once headed the anti-terrorism unit at Bukit Aman.

“Police recently arrested children aged 12, 14 and 15. They were first recruited through games such as Roblox before joining other groups. That is where they were taught and trained to carry out terrorist attacks,” Malaysia Gazette quoted him as saying.

Ayob was speaking at a convention on Prophet Muhammad’s birthday held in Kuala Lumpur.

He said some of the children were led to believe that killing police officers, soldiers and government officials was permissible in Islam. He cited a 2024 case in which a man aged about 20 or 21 attacked a police station with a parang and seized a firearm.

The attacker believed he was doing the right thing and would die a martyr if killed, Ayob said.

He also said that his experience dealing with terrorism since 1995 showed that extremists often rejected mainstream Islamic teachings and interpreted the Quran and hadith to suit their beliefs.

Ayob urged Muslims to follow established Islamic teachings, which promoted moderation and rejected violence.

The gaming platform Roblox dominates the world of online children’s games, with as many as 43 million players across the world using its tools to create and play an array of ‘experiences’. (Roblox pic)

Extremist beliefs imported from abroad remained a threat, he said, citing the activities of the Jemaah Islamiah militant group in Malaysia in the past.

Ayob said tougher preventive laws were needed to deal with such threats and ensure those involved could be made to undergo rehabilitation. Education and parental supervision were also equally important to prevent extremist groups from influencing youths.

In January, a 14-year-old Singaporean boy was placed under a restriction order after recreating Islamic State attacks and executions in Roblox and GoreBox, Channel News Asia reported.

The boy, who had been radicalised online, had also hoped to travel overseas to fight for the terrorist group, the report said. - FMT

Budget 2027: From household relief to sustainable growth

 

Letter to Editor

Budget 2027 represents an important effort to balance the immediate needs of Malaysian households with the country’s longer-term economic aspirations.

Against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, rising business costs and continued pressure on household expenditure, the budget places considerable emphasis on protecting purchasing power while creating opportunities for more sustainable and inclusive growth.

With federal expenditure of RM459.8 billion, comprising RM376.8 billion in operating expenditure and RM83 billion in development expenditure, Budget 2027 reflects the government’s commitment to supporting household welfare, strengthening public services and investing in Malaysia’s economic future.

In my view, the significance of this budget lies not merely in the financial assistance provided to households, but also in its broader efforts to strengthen the country’s productive capacity.

A successful budget should address today’s economic pressures while creating the conditions for better incomes, stronger businesses and greater economic opportunities tomorrow.

Protecting households while strengthening purchasing power

One of the most important features of Budget 2027 is its continued emphasis on addressing the cost of living.

The increase in the combined allocation for Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) to RM16 billion, compared with RM15 billion previously, provides additional support to households facing financial pressures.

The increase in individual income tax relief from RM9,000 to RM12,000, alongside reductions in selected personal income tax rates, also extends support to middle-income households.

This is particularly relevant because financial pressures are not confined to lower-income groups, as many middle-income families face substantial commitments relating to housing, education, healthcare and transportation.

From an economic perspective, these measures can help sustain household consumption, which remains an important driver of domestic economic activity, while targeted assistance protects vulnerable households against unexpected increases in living costs.

However, I believe the longer-term significance of household assistance should extend beyond immediate financial relief.

While social protection remains essential, sustainable improvements in living standards ultimately depend on stronger real wages, better employment opportunities and higher productivity.

The objective should therefore be to complement financial assistance with initiatives that enable households to become more economically resilient and less vulnerable to future economic shocks.

Empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening domestic businesses

Another encouraging aspect of Budget 2027 is its emphasis on entrepreneurship and business development.

The RM6.6 billion in microfinancing, RM450 million in start-up investments and RM32 billion in business financing guarantees demonstrate the government’s intention to improve access to capital and encourage enterprise development.

The proposed reduction in tax rates for eligible micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) also provides opportunities for businesses to retain more earnings for reinvestment, technological upgrading and expansion.

Having observed economic development from both industry and academic perspectives, I believe entrepreneurship support should be viewed as more than simply providing financial assistance to businesses.

Access to financing is important, but financing alone does not guarantee business growth.

Entrepreneurs also require access to technology, skilled workers, market information and opportunities to participate in larger supply chains.

In my view, the next stage of MSME development should focus on helping businesses move beyond survival towards expansion and greater competitiveness.

This means encouraging enterprises to improve productivity, adopt new technologies, develop innovative products and explore regional and international markets.

Such efforts are particularly relevant as Malaysia continues to attract foreign direct investment into strategic industries, including semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and digital services.

While attracting foreign investment is important, the economic benefits can be significantly greater when multinational corporations establish meaningful relationships with domestic enterprises.

Stronger supplier development programmes, technology transfer and business matching initiatives can help Malaysian firms participate in higher-value segments of regional and global supply chains.

Ultimately, the success of entrepreneurship initiatives should not be measured solely by the amount of financing disbursed or the number of businesses assisted.

More meaningful indicators would include improvements in productivity, business expansion, export participation and the creation of quality employment opportunities.

This would ensure that public support contributes not only to business survival but also to the development of a stronger and more competitive domestic business ecosystem.

Green energy as a new engine of economic growth

Budget 2027’s emphasis on green technology and energy security is another important development.

The extension of green investment tax incentives until 2030 provides businesses with greater certainty when planning long-term investments in sustainable technologies.

The planned RM15 billion investment by Tenaga Nasional Berhad to strengthen the national electricity grid is also significant, particularly as Malaysia seeks to attract more investments in advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and other technology-intensive industries.

In my opinion, the transition towards green energy should not be viewed solely as an environmental commitment. It also represents an opportunity for economic transformation.

As global industries increasingly adopt cleaner technologies and more stringent sustainability standards, demand for renewable energy, energy-efficient equipment and related services is expected to expand.

Malaysia has an opportunity to position itself within these emerging industries by developing domestic capabilities in engineering, manufacturing, technology and supporting services.

More importantly, green investments can create opportunities for local enterprises to participate in new supply chains, encouraging innovation and generating skilled employment.

However, these benefits will be greater if domestic businesses are equipped with the technological capabilities, financing and skilled workforce needed to participate meaningfully in emerging green industries.

The transition also has important implications for Malaysia’s energy security.

Recent volatility in global energy markets has demonstrated the importance of strengthening domestic energy infrastructure and diversifying energy sources.

By improving energy resilience while supporting the development of green industries, Malaysia can strengthen its competitiveness and reduce exposure to external economic disruptions.

The opportunity therefore extends beyond generating cleaner energy to building a more resilient and technologically advanced economy.

Investing in human capital and higher-quality employment

Human capital development remains fundamental to Malaysia’s long-term economic transformation.

Budget 2027’s emphasis on education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), digital capabilities and artificial intelligence reflect the growing importance of preparing workers for a more technology-driven economy.

Initiatives such as Bakat MADANI, which targets 30,000 employment opportunities, can help strengthen the connection between education, skills development and labour market needs.

From my perspective, improving workers’ earnings requires more than adjustments to minimum wages.

While wage policies can play an important role in protecting workers, sustainable wage growth must ultimately be supported by improvements in productivity.

Businesses that adopt advanced technologies, improve operational efficiency and move into higher-value activities are generally better positioned to offer more competitive wages.

This highlights the importance of ensuring that education and training programmes remain closely aligned with industry requirements.

Greater collaboration between universities, training institutions and businesses can help address skills mismatches while preparing graduates for emerging employment opportunities.

At the same time, the government’s emphasis on infrastructure development and public services remains important. Better transportation, digital connectivity, healthcare and education can improve economic participation, particularly among communities outside major urban centres.

Such investments contribute not only to social well-being but also to economic efficiency by improving labour mobility, reducing business costs and expanding access to opportunities.

Turning today’s support into tomorrow’s opportunities

Taken together, Budget 2027 reflects an approach that combines immediate household assistance with investments in entrepreneurship, green energy, industrial development and human capital.

I believe this combination is important because social protection and economic growth should not be viewed as competing priorities. Instead, they should complement one another.

Financial assistance helps households manage immediate pressures, while investments in businesses, technology and workforce capabilities create opportunities for stronger income growth over time.

The real economic value of Budget 2027 will therefore depend on how effectively these initiatives translate into measurable improvements in household welfare, business competitiveness and employment quality.

Looking ahead, sustaining these initiatives will require continued attention to fiscal resilience.

With federal revenue projected to increase by 4.7% to RM380.8 billion in 2027, prudent expenditure management and effective implementation will remain important.

The government’s commitment to narrowing the fiscal deficit from 3.6% to 3.3% of GDP reflects an effort to balance development priorities with fiscal discipline.

In my view, the most sustainable approach is to ensure that public spending not only addresses immediate needs but also strengthens future economic activity and revenue-generating capacity.

By translating investments in entrepreneurship, green technology and human capital into higher productivity, better employment and stronger domestic enterprises, Malaysia can progressively broaden its economic and fiscal foundations.

Ultimately, Budget 2027 should not be judged solely by the amount of assistance distributed or the size of its allocations, but by the opportunities it creates for Malaysians.

Its greatest contribution will be realised when today’s household relief becomes tomorrow’s higher incomes, more competitive businesses and improved living standards.

This is how a budget can move beyond immediate assistance towards truly sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Goh Lim Thye is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics, Universiti Malaya.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT

- Focus Malaysia.