MALAYSIAN JUDICIARY SYSTEM

WHO HEADS THE MALAYSIAN JUDICIARY?

The head of the Malaysian Judiciary is the Chief Justice.

HOW ARE JUDGES APPOINTED?

The Chief Justice is appointed by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister after consulting the Conference of Rulers. The appointment is similar to those of the President of Court of Appeal, the two Chief Judges, judges of the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Court.

Under the Federal Constitution, the Prime Minister shall consult the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal and the two Chief Judges, before he tenders his advice in appointing a judge to the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Courts.

His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may also appoint a person who has held high judicial office in Malaysia to be additional judge of the Federal Court. This must be on the advice of the Chief Justice.

If the interest of justice so require, the Chief Justice may also nominate a Court of Appeal Judge to sit as a Judge of the Federal Court. All judges of the Superior Court retire at the age of 65.

HOW DOES THE MALAYSIAN COURT SYSTEM WORKS?

1) FEDERAL COURT

The Federal Court hears appeals from the Court of Appeal.

2) COURT OF APPEAL

The Court of Appeal hears appeals from the High Court relating to both civil and criminal matters.

3) HIGH COURT

- Civil Jurisdiction

The High Court has jurisdiction to try all civil matters but generally confines itself to matters on which the Magistrates and Sessions Courts have no jurisdiction. These include matters relating to divorce and matrimonial cases, appointment of guardians of infants, the granting of probate of wills and testaments and letters of administration of the estate of deceased persons, bankruptcy, and other civil claims where the amount in dispute exceeds RM250,000.00.

- Criminal Jurisdiction

The High Court may hear all matters but generally confines itself to offenses on which the Magistrates and Sessions Courts have no jurisdiction, for instance, offenses which carry the death penalty.

- Appellate Jurisdiction

The High Court may hear appeals from the Magistrates and Sessions Courts in both civil and criminal matters.

4) SESSIONS COURT

- Civil Jurisdiction

A Sessions Court may hear any civil matter involving motor vehicle accidents, disputes between landlord and tenant, and distress actions. The Sessions Court may also hear other matters where the amount in dispute does not exceed RM250,000.00.

- Criminal Jurisdiction

A Sessions Court has jurisdiction to try all criminal offenses EXCEPT those punishable by death.

5) MAGISTRATES COURT

The Magistrates Courts deal with the vast majority of cases, both civil and criminal, and sit in almost all major towns in Malaysia.

- Civil Jurisdiction

A Magistrates Court may hear a civil case when the amount in dispute does not exceed, 25,000.00.Where the amount claimed does not exceed RM5,000.00 you may wish to file your claim in the "small claims" division of the Magistrates Court. If you do so however, you must be prepared to conduct the case yourself, as legal representation is not permitted.

- Criminal Jurisdiction

A Magistrates Court may hear criminal matters of the following nature:-
where the offense is punishable by a fine only - this would cover the majority of traffic offenses. where the offense provides for a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years. A Magistrate may not, however, impose a term of imprisonment exceeding five years.

There are also various other courts outside of this hierarchy, including the Special Court. There is the Penghulu's Courts, the Syariah Courts and the Native Courts. A court which is paralleled in jurisdiction with the Magistrates' Court in the Juvenile Court.

WHAT POWER DOES THE MAGISTRATE COURT HAS?

Section 87 of the Subordinate Courts Act 1948 (Malaysia) provides the First Class Magistrate fairly substantial powers in a criminal cases. In addition to the jurisdiction of sentences not exceeding 5 years imprisonment and or fines not exceeding RM10,000, the Magistrate can impose whipping up to a maximum of 12 strokes.

The Magistrate has the power to award punishment for any offense in excess of the powers described above and instead award full punishment authorized by law. This power is given by the proviso in subsection (1).

However, the civil jurisdiction for a First Class Magistrate for action and suits of a civil nature where the amount in dispute or value of the subject matter does not exceed RM25,000 under Section 90.

WHAT POWER DOES THE SESSIONS COURT HAS?

This Court has jurisdiction to try all offenses other than offenses punishable by death penalty. It's jurisdiction is wider than the Magistrate Court. It is under the Section 64 that imposes a limit on the Session Judges' powers by precluding him from imposing the death sentence.
Section 65 provides the Sessions Court :-

-Unlimited jurisdiction to try all actions and suits of a civil nature in respect of motor vehicle accidents, landlords and tenants and distress
-Jurisdiction to try all actions and suits of a civil nature where the amount in dispute or the value of the subject matter does not exceed RM250,000.

However, there is exceptions to the above. The Sessions Court has no jurisdiction with respect to applications for specific performance or rescission of contracts, injunction, enforcement of trust, declaration of decrees and revocation of grants of re presentation of the estates of deceased persons or the administration or distribution thereof. These are all within the jurisdiction of the High Court.

WHAT JURISDICTION DOES THE HIGH COURT HAS?

There are 2 High Courts of coordinate jurisdiction in Malaysia. Namely the High Court of Malaya and the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak.

The High Court may act as a court of first instance and appellate court.

The High Court have jurisdiction to try all offenses committed within its local jurisdiction or on a high seas on board any ship or aircraft registered in Malaysia or by any citizen or permanent resident on the high seas on board any ship or aircraft, or by any person on the high seas where the offense is privacy by the law of nations. This is in exercising its original jurisdiction for criminal cases.

The High Court may pass any sentence allowed by law.

Normally, only criminal cases of a serious nature are tried in the High Court. Example, drug trafficking under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act, murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code, kidnapping of abduction under Section 364 of the Penal Code and offenses under the Firearms (increased penalty) Act where it involves Capital Punishment (death sentence) if the accused is found guilty. The High Court has the power to hear appeals from the Subordinate Courts according to any law for the time being in force within the territorial jurisdiction of the High Court. This is provided under Section 26. Additionally, the High Court may also exercise its revisionary powers with respect to criminal proceedings and matters in the Subordinate Courts.
In civil cases, the High Court has the jurisdiction to try all civil proceedings where the cause of action arose or the defendant or one of the several defendants resides or has his place of business or the facts on which the proceedings are based exists or are alleged to have occurred or any land the ownership of which is disputed is situated within the local jurisdiction of the court. Similarly, in any case where all parties consent in writing, the court can also adjudicate the matter even though they are within the local jurisdiction of the other High Court.

Under the Section 27, the appellate civil jurisdiction of the High Court shall consists of the hearing of appeals from the Subordinate Courts. The High Court also has the power to examine record of proceedings transmitted to it by the Subordinate Courts on any question which arises as to the effect of any provision of the Constitution.

Section 32 provides the High Courts with revisionary power for dealing with civil cases. However, no proceeding by way of revision will be entertained by the High Court at the instance of a party who could have appealed.

Finally, the High Court also has general supervisory and revisionary jurisdiction over all Subordinate Courts.

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF THE COURT OF APPEAL?

This court is limited to only perform the function of an Appellate Court. Either in the exercise of its original jurisdiction or in the exercise of its appellate revisionary jurisdiction in respect of any criminal matter decided by the Sessions court, the Court of Appeal has the jurisdiction to hear and determine any appeal against any decision made by the High Court. Appeals for decision made by the Magistrates' Court in any criminal matter shall be confined only to questions of law which have arisen in the course of the appeal or revision and the determination of which by the High Court has affected the event of the appeal or revision.

An appeal shall be made within 14 days after the date of the decision of the High Court and shall be with the leave of the Court of Appeal. If the notice of appeal by the Public Prosecutor has been given by or with the consent of that officer in writing, no leave is require. An appeal can lie on a question of law, question of mixed fact and law or on question of fact.

In any civil cause or matter, the Court of Appeal also has the jurisdiction to hear and determine an appeal from any judgment or order of any High Court in any civil cause or matter. Notwithstanding, there are matters which are non-appealable to the Court of Appeal. Under the Section 68 the list of cases involve any of the following :-

When the amount or value of the subject matter of the claim (exclusive of interest) is less than RM250,000, except with leave of the Court of Appeal

Where the Judgment or order is made by consent of parties

Where the Judgment or order relates to costs only, which by law are left to the discretion of the Court, except with the leave of the Court of Appeal

Where by any written law for the time being in force, the Judgment or order of the High Court is expressly declared to be final

WHAT IS A FEDERAL COURT AND IT'S JURISDICTION?

In determining the constitutionality of any law, order or regulations, the Federal Court is the court of last resort.

Next below the Privy Council, the name "Supreme Court" was used to refer to the highest court for Malaysia. That was before 1957. However, with the abolition of the appeal to the Privy Council effective January 1, 1985, the Supreme Court was finally designated the highest court in Malaysia.

Please take note to the material distinction between the constitution of the former "Supreme Court" and that of the present. Effective June 24, 1994, the Supreme Court was renamed the Federal Court of Malaysia and is not the final court of appeal of Malaysia.

Under Article 128(1) and (2), the Federal Court has the same jurisdiction and may exercise the same powers as those exercised by the High Court, in exercising its original jurisdiction.

In criminal cases, in exercising its appellate jurisdiction, the Federal Court has the powers to hear and determine any appeal from any decision of the Court of Appeal in its jurisdiction to hear and determine any civil appeal from the Court of Appeal provided leave is granted.

WHAT'S THE FUNCTION OF A SPECIAL COURT?

The setting up of the Special Court became a major turning point in the legal system in Malaysia.
Article 182(2) of the Federal Constitution states that "any proceeding by or against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Ruler of a State in his personal capacity shall be brought in a Special Court established under clause (1) of Article 182".

Before this amendment was made, no proceeding can be brought in any court against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Ruler of a State in his personal capacity.

The Chairperson of the Special Court shall be Chief Justice of the Federal Court together with the Chief Judges of the High Courts and two other persons who hold or have held office as Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court appointed by the Conference of Rulers.

The Special Court has exclusive jurisdiction to try all offenses committed in the Federation by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Ruler of a State and all civil cases by or against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Ruler of a State, notwithstanding where the cause of action arose.

The court shall have the same jurisdiction and powers as are vested in the lower courts, the Supreme Court and High Court. Under the Article 183, it states that "no action, civil or criminal shall be institute against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or the Ruler of a State in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him in his personal capacity except with the consent of the Attorney-General personally".

The registry of Special Court is in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR STOCK EXCHANGE (KLSE) LISTINGS REQUIREMENT

Apakah syarat-syarat penyenaraian yang ditetapkan oleh Bursa Saham Kuala Lumpur untuk syarikat yang disenaraikan di BSKL.

What are the condition of listing required by Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange for companies which listed under KLSE.

The KLSE is a self regulating body incorporated as a company limited by guarantee with its own memorandum and articles of association. It was formed in 1976 to administer and ensure a set of rules with respect to the conduct of its members in securities dealings. It is responsible for the maintenance of an efficient market, and for surveillance and enforcement of the listing requirements which set out the criteria for companies seeking a public flotation of their shares and their continuing obligations. Listing means that securities issued by company can be bought and sold by investors through a public organized listed market.

The KLSE listing requirements contains variety of matters such as imposing additional disclosure requirements and imposing additional requirements that a company must meet before the company enters into certain types of transaction or issues new securities. The purpose of the listing requirements is to ensure that the market for listed companies securities is transparent, liquid and informed and that the interests of the companies public shareholders are protected.

Only listed companies and their participants are required to comply with the listing requirements. Some companies have their share listed for quotation on the KLSE. If a company is listed on the KLSE, members of the public can buy and sell these shares through the stock market conducted by the KLSE. As of 02 July 2001, out of half million registered companies Malaysia, only 809 are listed at the KLSE. Even though it represents a very small percentage of it, but the listed companies are very significant to the Malaysian economy.

However the KLSE issued the new listing requirements on 22 January 2001. Some of the key objectives of the requirements are to enhance corporate governance and transparency to strengthen investor protection and to promote investor confidence in the securities market.

So listing by creating a liquid market for a company’s securities can lower the company’s cost of capital. In addition, there may be other benefits, such as increased prestige or better relationship with lenders and suppliers.

Public companies proposing to list must make an application to the KLSE. The KLSE has a discretion to accept or reject any application. The KLSE and the Securities Commission ( SC ) set out the criteria for listing, in the KLSE listing requirements and the SC Policies and Guidelines on issue/offer of Securities ( Policies and Guidelines ), respectively. These criteria’s are designed to ensure that only companies of sufficient size and quality to attract investor’s interest are included in the First Board or Second Board. Basically the KLSE listing requires :-

General Requirements:-

(1) The company if applying to list on the main board has a minimum issued and paid up capital of RM 60 Million; if applying to list on the second board, has a minimum issued and paid up capital of RM 40 Million.

(2) The company has a constitution and that constitution is consistent with the listing requirements.

(3) A prospectus containing detailed information about the company and the securities is prepared.

(4) The company applies for quotation of its “main class” of securities.

(5) The company has at least 25% shareholding ( public spread ) in the company to be held by a minimum number of public shareholders each holding 1,000 or more shares. The minimum number of public shareholders depends on the nominal value of the company’s issued and paid up capital.

Quantitative Requirements:-

(1) It must be an issued and paid up capital

(2) Main board paid up capital consist RM 60 Million minimum comprising ordinary shares of not less than ten cents each.

(3) Second board paid up capital consist RM 40 Million minimum comprising ordinary shares not less than ten cents each.

(4) Maintenance of promoters shareholding.

(5) Compliance with shareholding spread requirements ( 25% of the company issued and paid up capital are in the hands of the public shareholders )

(6) Exercise/conversion price set at a price not lower than the public offer price of the ordinary shares of the company.

(7) Disclosure in the prospectus.

(8) Shareholding spread ( public shareholders )

(9) Nominal Value of issued and paid up capital.

(10) RM 40 Million to less than RM 60 Million share spread among minimum 750 share holders.

(11) RM 100 Million and above-share spread among 1,250 shareholders

(12) Public spread at least 25% of issued and paid up capital at time of listing shall be in the hands of the public who can be nay.

However this requirements does not include :-

(1) Director of the company and its affiliation.

(2) Shareholders who owns 5% or more of the issued and paid up capital of the company.

(3) An associate of a director or shareholder who owns 5% or more than the issued or paid up of the capital.

(4) 25% share spread will be considering.

(5) Up to 5% issued and paid up capital owned by the employees.

(6) Up to 10% of issued and paid up capital held by Bumiputra investors for the purpose of compliance with the National Development Policy.

(7) Business operations

(8) Historical profit performance ( good track record ) – an uninterrupted after tax profit record for the past 3-5 financial year for both board.

(9) Perform accounts – accounts of group companies.

Qualitative Requirements:-

(1) Business dynamics

(2) Competition dynamics

(3) Investing dynamics

(4) Transaction with related parties

(5) Assessment of vulnerability and risks.

(6) Contribution to economic growth and government projects.

The role of KLSE as a body which took responsible for the maintenance of an efficient market, and for surveillance and enforcement of listing requirements as a guidelines and framework for companies; assist and facilitate the development of company’s securities in Malaysia.

NORMS

Generally, how do “Norms” of International law come into being? Give examples. 
Why do you think states take interest in creating or recognizing norms of International Law?

What is meant by norms?

The norms can be define as the normal or usual situation or generally accepted standards of social behaviour. Norms in the sense of International law can be regard as a general view of social behaviour among the society that is accepted to be practice.

The norms of International Law can be traced or found through the sources of International law which are treaties, International customary law, general principles of law, International judicial decisions and opinion of textbook writers.

Mainly, the norms of International law come into being when there is a need of a body of rules that can regulates activities carried on outside the legal boundaries of a state which both of the states have the same interest in such relations.

How do “Norms” of International law come into being?

Norms of International law come into being by the way of :-

(1) Federal Constitution
Malaysia accepted the Norms of International law by incorporating such provisions under Federal Constitution as a supreme law Malaysia.

(2) Civil Law Act 1956

Section 3 (1) of Civil Law Act 1956 permit the application of common law and equity which administered in England by such exception and condition.

(3) Membership in International Organization

Malaysia recognize the Norms” of International law through the membership in International Organization.

(4)Treaties
Treaties become the law of the land as soon as the necessary law are enacted.

(5) Acts of Parliament
Parliament has the power to make a law which regard to an International law based on practicality of Malaysian concern with such rules.

(6) Judicial decisions
Malaysian judges have the discretionary power to consider the judicial decisions which was decided by foreign courts on International law as the principle to be applied into local cases with such exception.

Why states take interest in creating or recognizing norms of International Law?

1- The general feeling and experience over history is that, groups of people or human society, find that community life will be happier, more ordered and just if the relationships between members of the community are regulated by generally recognized rules.

2- International law is not really a law but it is an International morality; so the states ought moral obligations towards the affairs of nation such as enforcement and states dealings with International Organizations.

3- International law is merely a slogan of diplomacy and it is a convenient weapon or tool for a ministry of propaganda anxious to win the support of the world opinion.

4- Furthermore, the relevancy and acceptance of norms makes states to recognize the norms of International law.

5- Influence or affection by western domination make states to enforce norms of International law into their states supreme law.

TREATY

How does a Treaty stand in relation to Federal Constitution?

Treaty is formal/legally binding an agreement between sovereign states/organizations of states . Article 38 (1) of the statute of the international Court of Justice lists Treaty as one of the important sources which that court is permitted to use with certain exception.

Can a Malaysian Court declare a Treaty Unconstitutional?

Although, the Federal Constitution contains no doctrine of incorporation certain provision of the federal constitution do expressly relate to international law. Thus the power to make law involving certain aspect of international law are clearly enumerated in Articles 74(1), 76(1), 76(2) and 169 of Federal Constitution.

Article 74(1) provides that Parliament may make law with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the federal list which consists of external affairs.

Article 76(1)(a) Parliament may make laws in respect to any matter enumerated in the state list but only for the purpose of implementing any treaty agreement or convention between the federation and any other country.

Article 76(2) restricts the provision of Article 76(1)(a) by stipulating that no law shall be made in pursuance thereof with respect to any matters of Muslim law or the custom of the Malays or to any matters of native law or custom in the Borneo state without the concern of the state government in consulted.

Article 169 deals specifically with international agreements, treaties and convention made before the Independent day.

Yes, Malaysian court can declare a treaty as unconstitutional because the implementation of the treaties is dependant upon the legal system of each individual party to the treaties. However, it is the duty of all parties to a treaty to see that municipal law gives effect to treaties concluded by the nation in question. If a party fails to make the treaty enforceable within its jurisdiction a breach of international law ensues.

According to article 128 of Federal Constitution of Malaysia prescribe the jurisdiction of a Federal Court to determine the validity of laws makes by Legislature body. In the case of The Government of the state of Kelantan v The Government of the Federation of Malaya and Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj where kelantan challenged the constitutionality of the Malaysia Agreement and the Malaysia Act. The Malaysia agreement was an international agreement signed by the United Kingdom, The Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak; the Malaysia Act was enacted by the Federation of Malaya to implement that agreement. Kelantan’s arguments, essentially, were that the consent of the individual states of the Federation of Malaya should have been obtained before the arrangements of for Malaysia could be lawfully implemented. The court was held that the requirement in such a case is consultation and not consent of the states.

How does a Treaty come to an end?

Treaty come to an end by the way Termination.

(1) Termination by execution
Termination by execution occur when a treaty designed to achieve a particular object and that object is achieved.

(2) Termination by Agreement
A treaty may contain an express provision to the effect that if all or a certain number of the parties agree, the treaty maybe considered as terminated. If there is no such clause, termination, in such a case, is legal only if all the parties agree. The agreement, however, need not necessarily affect all the parties as it may provide for the withdrawal of only those which wish to do so. Sometimes, a subsequent agreement may abrogate a previous treaty.

(3) Termination by Denunciation
If a treaty contains an express denunciation clause, it may terminate in accordance with its terms. However, treaties do not usually have such clauses and though states may claim the right to withdraw from treaties, international tribunals usually take the view that such denunciations are unlawful.

(4) Termination by Extinction of a party
This happen when a party to a treaty ceases to exist or loses its international personality.

(5) Termination by Operation of the Rebus Sic Stantibus Doctrine
Whenever the state of things which was essential to the treaty has either ceased to exist or has undergone material change, the treaty is deemed to determine. However, this so-called Rebus Sic Stantibus Doctrine cannot be applied simply because new circumstances make the obligation to perform more burdensome or inequitable. Whereby the Vienna Convention on the law of treaties provides the condition for the application of the doctrine which stated under article 62 (1), (2) & (3).

(6) Termination by subject matters
A treaty may come to end by the reason of natural disasters/disorders for example earthquake; where the parties to that treaty may terminate the treaties agreement.

HUMAN RIGHTS

How in general terms, are human rights protected today?

Introduction

Generally Human rights are international moral and legal norms that aspire to protect all people everywhere from severe political, legal, and social abuses. Examples of human rights are the right to freedom of religion, the right to a fair trial when charged with a crime, the right not to be tortured, and the right to engage in political activity. These rights exist in morality and in law at the national and international levels. They are addressed primarily to governments, requiring compliance and enforcement. The main source of the contemporary conception of human rights is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations, 1948b) and the many human rights documents and treaties that have followed in its wake.

We are all equally responsible for the protection of human rights – not just for ourselves, but for others as well. This is not to say that as individuals we are solely responsible. Clearly, this responsibility is shared among our governments, parliaments and courts. In fact, all of these bodies play an important role in providing both direct protection and a means by which this protection may be pursued. However, the most successful form of protection is through widespread appreciation of, and respect for, human rights. It is this that forms the basis of our own self-respect as well as respect for the dignity of others.

There are two fundamentally interrelated answers to the question: how are human rights protected today? The first answer considers the law and how the legal system as a whole protects human rights. The second answer considers the protection offered by individual institutions and their processes.

MALAYSIA:SISTEM PENDIDIKAN KEBANGSAAN

Suatu Analisis Yang Tulus Meniti Pengalaman

Masyarakat Malaysia secara keseluruhannya berorientasikan peperiksaan. Misalnya, seorang pelajar perempuan yang mengambil kursus pembelajaran komputer didapati tidak mempunyai ide berkenaan dengan cara operasi program “WINDOWS”, tetapi kenyataannya dia mendapat keputusan “A” bagi peperiksaan subjek berkenaan memandangkan peperiksaan yang didudukinya berteraskan kepada buku teks.

Sungguh hairan apabila dia langsung tidak tahu tentang “SOUND CARD” kerana perkara ini tidak terkandung dalam silibus buku teksnya.

SUATU PENGALAMAN BUAT RENUNGAN BERSAMA

Seorang pelajar terbaik yang mendapat keputusan cemerlang dalam peperiksaan peringkat sekolah dan berjaya memasuki Institusi Pengajian Tinggi yang masih berkira-kira tentang cara pembelajaran yang bersifat konvensional pada masa peringkat persekolahan iaitu penghafalan dan lulus peperiksaan dengan warna-warni. Adalah wajar bagi anda untuk merenungkan pendapat ini:-

Apakah erti anda melangkah ke alam Universiti, sama ada untuk menerokai sumber pengetahuan yang baru atau sebagai medium menghafal konsep ilmu tersebut? Sebaliknya anda boleh berdikari belajar dari rumah dan apakah keperluan untuk memasuki universiti serta membelanjakan wang ringgit jika anda berpegang pada konsep menghafal ilmu?

Perlu disedari pendidikan di dalam bilik darjah hanya boleh dipraktik dan diaplikasi melalui proses pembelajaran yang aktif. Maka elemen inilah yang mendorong akan kegagalan Sistem Pendidikan Kebangsaan Negara Kita.

Akhir kata, galakan pelajar agar meneroka sumber pengetahuan yang merupakan aspek tunggal dalam memperbetulkan proses pembelajaran.

BAHASA MELAYU DALAM PERSPEKTIF PENDIDIKAN

ABSTRAK

Makalah ini akan memperincikan tentang isu Bahasa Melayu dalam milenium ini yang akan terus menjadi wacana pelbagai pihak dalam menghadapi cabaran politik, ekonomi dan sosial pada era globalisasi. Malah ramai di kalangan masyarakat berasa bahawa Bahasa Melayu semakin terpinggir dan ramai yang mula risau akan pencapaian Bahasa Melayu dalam pelbagai bidang seperti ekonomi dan pendidikan. Sekiranya perkara ini terus berlaku maka Bahasa Melayu akan layu dalam perkembangan ledakan informasi yang sedang melanda dunia akibat daripada kemajuan teknologi komunikasi. Oleh itu, saya melaksanakan penyelidikan ini dan mengkaji sejauh manakah akan pencapaian Bahasa Melayu dalam bidang pendidikan.

Kajian bagi penyelidikan ini lebih tertumpu kepada kajian dalam beberapa buku, Jurnal, Kertas Seminar dan Artikel hasil keluaran Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka yang merupakan sebuah badan berkanun yang diberi autonomi untuk menggubal dasarnya yang khusus iaitu menyusun program pembinaan dan pengembangan bahasa dan sastera, dan menjalankan kegiatan penerbitan dan perniagaan buku secara kompetatif menurut prinsip dan amalan perusahaan dan profesion penerbitan yang sentiasa dinamik.

Hasil utama yang telah dipertemukan melalui penyelidikan ini adalah perkembangan era globalisasi dunia pada ke-21 ini, yang mana telah dipercepatkan oleh perkembangan tekonologi maklumat dan komunikasi ( ICT ), berdaya untuk meneruskan proses evolusi Bahasa Melayu ke peringkat maya yang sudah pasti akan memberi cabaran-cabaran baru kepada bidang pendidikan.

Secara kesimpulannya, pengupasan dan penghuraian yang dibuat ini merupakan satu bentuk pandangan dan tinjauan secara umum kepada masyarakat tentang isu dan cabaran asas Bahasa Melayu dalam perspektif pendidikan. Bahasa Melayu dapat memupuk jati diri masyarakat bahasanya lebih-lebih lagi dalam arus pemodenan dan penyejagatan dunia. Jangan biarkan bahasa Melayu menyerantau di raung siber tanpa dipedulikan oleh masyarakat bahasanya sendiri dan akhirnya pupus di mata dunia.

DASAR BAHASA

Bahasa Melayu yang dijadikan sebagai Bahasa Kebangsaan dan Bahasa Rasmi negara Malaysia, mempunyai sejarah silam (historicity), daya hidup (vitality), serta autonomi (autonomy) dan kelompok masyarakatnya (Ethnicity) yang tersendiri. Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa ilmu telah tumbuh dan berkembang pesat seiring dengan kepesatan pembangunan negara khususnya dalam bidang pendidikan. Bahasa melayu juga sebagai bahasa penghantar utama dalam sistem pendidikan negara dapat dipertahankan dan diperkembangkan berdasarkan pelbagai akta dan laporan bermula daripada Penyata Razak (1959), Laporan Rahman Talib (1960), Akta Pelajaran (1961), Akta Bahasa Kebangsaan (1963 serta pindaan 1967) dan (1990), Laporan Jawatan Kuasa Kabinet Mengkaji Dasar Pelajaran (1979), dan Akta Pendidikan (1966). (Zainal Abidin Abdul Wahid, 2002).

Melalui bidang pendidikan Bahasa Melayu mampu merentangi segala cabaran untuk dinobatkan sebagai bahasa yang dapat diterima dan digunakan di peringkat dunia. Walau bagaimanapun, sebelum bahasa Melayu mampu dinobatkan sebagai bahasa yang diterima dan dipraktik oleh masyarakat maka pelaksanaan Aspirasi Bahasa Melayu mestilah bermula di peringkat ASEAN terlebih dahulu. Bagi mencapai hasrat dan matlamat ini usaha-usaha kearah menglobalisasikan Bahasa Melayu perlu dipergiatkan lagi. Ketika inilah waktu yang paling tepat kerana seluruh dunia sedang diambang oleh abad ke-21. Alaf baru adalah detik mula kebangkitan Bahasa Melayu dalam melayari globalisasi dan modenisasi.

Bahasa Melayu telah lama menjadi bahasa pengantar di sekolah, maktab, politeknik dan universiti. Penubuhan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia merupakan kemuncak bagi menentukan Bahasa Melayu digunakan sepenuhnya sebagai bahasa penghantar ilmu pengetahuan. Sehingga kini, universiti itu telah melahirkan ratusan ribu siswazah yang menerima pendidikan dalam Bahasa Melayu. Ratusan tesis dan disertasi pada peringkat ijazah sarjana dan kedoktoran ditulis dalam Bahasa Melayu, dan ratusan professor telah menyampaikan syarahan perdana tentang pelbagai ilmu dalam Bahasa Melayu. Ini membuktikan tidak syak lagi bahawa Bahasa Melayu telah membuktikan kejayaan dan keupayaan sebagai bahasa ilmu serta bahasa bagi wahana ilmu pengetahuan dalam pelbagai bidang.

KE MANAKAH HALA TUJU BAHASA MELAYU?

Sejak 47 tahun kemerdekaan Malaysia, banyak cabaran yang ditempuh oleh Bahasa Malayu dalam sistem pendidikan. Antaranya ialah persaingannya dengan Bahasa Inggeris, penggunaannya dalam pencetusan teknologi maklumat, peranannya menjelang abad ke-21 iaitu dalam era globalisasi dan sebagainya. Banyak tanda-tanda negatif yang dapat dikesan terhadap Bahasa Melayu. Antaranya ialah ragam dan gaya penggunaan bahasa yang tidak teratur, kalimat yang tidak gramatis, mencampuradukkan Bahasa Melayu dengan Bahasa Inggeris, penggunaan kata-kata asing secara sewenang-wenangnya, dan sebagainya. (Farid M.Onn, 1992).

Ada pandangan yang tercetus bahawa bagi menjadi sebuah negara yang maju, kita perlu menguasai Bahasa Inggeris dengan lebih baik kerana Bahasa Melayu dianggap sebagai tidak dapat mewujudkan negara yang maju menjelang tahun 2020. Selain itu, ada pendapat yang mencadangkan agar Bahasa Inggeris digunakan sebagai bahasa penghantar atau pengantara untuk beberapa kursus sains dan teknologi yang tertentu di Universiti-Universiti Awam atau Institusi Pendidikan Tinggi Awam seperti Universiti Malaya, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, dan lain-lain. Hakikatnya ialah meskipun usaha-usaha yang mendesak rakyat Malaysia untuk menguasai Bahasa Inggeris amat pesat, termasuklah menjadikan Bahasa Inggeris sebagai bahasa penghantar bagi mata pelajaran sains dan matematik di semua peringkat pengajian, hal ini tidak bererti bahawa Bahasa Melayu tidak lagi mempunyai peranan pada abad ini. Seseorang pelajar yang telah mengikuti sekolah rendah dan sekolah menengah melalui sistem pendidikan kebangsaan dijangka telah menerima pendidikan Bahasa Inggeris selama 11 tahun dan sepatutnya telah menguasai Bahasa Inggeris dengan baik dan sempurna. Maka di sini tidak lagi timbul isu kelemahan pelajar mengusai Bahasa Inggeris merupakan faktor kepada rombakan dalam sistem pendidkan negara yang kini berteraskan kepada pengajaran bilingual.

Bagi memartabatkan peranan bahasa Melayu dalam sistem pendidikan, beberapa langkah yang drastik harus disegerakan. Antaranya ialah melaksanakan Dasar Bahasa Kebangsaan yang tegas supaya nilai ekonomi Bahasa Melayu akan lebih terjamin. Intitusi Pengajian Tinggi Swasta harus menyediakan satu rancangan rasmi yang memaparkan usahanya untuk meMalaysiakan Institusi berkenaan sebelum pengiktirafan sesebuah Intitusi Pengajian Tinggi Swasta dilaksanakan. Selain itu, kerajaan harus memperbaiki kaedah pengajaran Bahasa Inggeris daripada menerapkan terus Bahasa Inggeris dalam pengajaran mata pelajaran sains dan matematik. Kerajaan juga harus menjalinkan hubungan kerjasama yang lebih erat dengan negara Indonesia dan Brunei untuk memperkembangkan Bahasa Melayu, serta beberapa langkah lain yang efektif yang boleh digagaskan secara bersepadu. (Zainal Abidin Abdul Wahid, 2002).

PERSAINGAN BAHASA MELAYU DENGAN BAHASA INGGERIS

Perkembangan Globalisasi dan Industrialisasi di pentas antarabangsa sangat ketara dan kepesatannya tidak boleh dibayangkan lagi. Fenomena ini menyebabkan Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia telah mengambil dasar baru dalam pelaksanaan pengajaran dan penilaian bagi semua mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik di peringkat sekolah termasuk peperiksaan Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah, Penilaian Menengah Rendah, dan Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia bagi supaya diajar dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Bertitik tolak daripada perkara ini, Persatuan Sains Matematik Malaysia (PERSAMA) dalam mesyuaratnya pada 29 Jun 2002 di Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia telah melahirkan keperihatinan serta bantahan rasmi terhadap dasar yang telah diutarakan oleh Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia.

Walaupun PERSAMA menyedari akan kepentingan Bahasa Inggeris di arena antarabangsa, namun mereka berpandangan bahawa sesuatu dasar baru yang ingin dilaksanakan haruslah melalui perancangan dan penyelidikan yang jelas matlamatnya, berhemah serta cermat terutama apabila memperlihatkan nasib anak bangsa yang akan mewarisi kepimpinan negara di semua peringkat di kemudian hari.

Terdapat banyak perkara atau usul yang boleh dikaji, dikemukakan dan diatasi berhubung dengan dasar pelaksanaan pembelajaran dan pengajaran yang melibatkan pengajaran dan penilaian Bahasa Inggeris dalam matapelajaran Sains dan Matematik. Dengan kelemahan yang amat ketara berhubung dengan kefasihan dan penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris di kalangan guru dan pelajar sekolah ketika ini, adalah amat sukar untuk memungkinkan dasar pengajaran mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris menemui kejayaan seperti yang diimpikan oleh Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia.

Selama ini usaha-usaha dalam pembinaan pangkalan data istilah, penulisan buku-buku teks serta pengajaran dan pembelajaran dalam Bahasa Kebangsaan di semua peringkat pendidikan prasekolah, sekolah rendah, sekolah menengah rendah, sekolah menengah tinggi dan sekolah tinggi telahpun berjalan dengan lancar sejak lebih 20 hingga 30 tahun lalu. Jika Bahasa Inggeris diutarakan, penggunaan istilah Bahasa Inggeris untuk mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik adalah terlalu khusus dan seringkali membawa maksud yang berbeza dengan kegunaannya dalam pertuturan dan penulisan harian. Maka, PERSAMA berpendapat bahawa pengajaran dan pembelajaran Bahasa Inggeris dalam matapelajaran Sains dan Matematik bukanlah cara terbaik untuk mempertingkatkan lagi keupayaan serta penguasaan pelajar Bahasa Inggeris.

Misalnya, penyingkiran terus penggunaan Bahasa Melayu terhadap mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik bermakna kita telah menafikan keupayaan Bahasa Melayu dalam mata pelajaran tersebut. Bagi meningkatkan penguasaan dalam Bahasa Inggeris, beliau telah menyarankan bahawa mata pelajaran yang khusus seperti English for Specific Purpose, English for Science and Technology atau Technical Writing lebih sesuai diadakan daripada menyingkirkan Bahasa Melayu daripada mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik.

Pada masa kini, bilangan guru yang berkemampuan untuk mengajar subjek-subjek Sains dan Matematik serta yang memiliki kefasihan berbahasa Inggeris tidak mencukupi. Memendangkan guru-guru yang terdidik dan dididik di maktab-maktab serta universiti-universiti, yang mana kelulusan Bahasa Inggeris mereka adalah pada tahap minimal. Ini akan memberikan tekanan baru kepada para guru untuk menyampaikan bahan mereka dengan baik. Seterusnya ini akan menyebabkan kekeliruan serta kekusutan dalam pengajaran dan pemahaman pendidikan Sains, Teknologi dan Matematik di kalangan pelajar negara ini.

Mata pelajaran berteraskan Sains, khususnya Matematik bukanlah matapelajaran yang mudah dipelajari, diajar serta dihayati oleh guru dan murid. Lebih-lebih lagi Pelajar miskin dan pelajar di luar bandar amat lemah dalam penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris kerana tahap penggunaannya amatlah sedikit, iaitu hanya di sekitar bilik darjah ketika mata pelajaran tersebut diajar. Malah guru-guru di kawasan luar bandar tidak diperlukan menguasai Bahasa Inggeris kerana faktor persekitaran dan tahap pencapaian murid yang mereka ajar amat berbeza berbanding dengan pelajar di kawasan bandar. Justeru itu, jika dasar pengajaran serta penilaian mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam Bahasa Inggeris ini diteruskan, maka jurang pencapaian dalam matapelajaran Matematik bagi semua peringkat peperiksaan UPSR, PMR dan SPM di antara pelajar miskin atau di luar bandar dengan yang berpendapatan sederhana/ tinggi dan yang tinggal di bandar akan menjadi bertambah luas. Majoriti ibu bapa miskin atau yang tinggal di luar bandar tidak mampu menghantar anak-anak mereka ke kelas-kelas tuisyen bagi memperbaiki keadaan ini memandangkan sumber kewangan yang terhad. Anak-anak mereka akan terus menghadapi masalah penguasaan dan kefahaman Bahasa Inggeris ditambah pula kesukaran mereka untuk memahami konsep atau istilah Matematik dan Sains. Akhirnya, mereka sukar dan gagal bersaing di peringkat lebih tinggi serta tidak ramai di kalangan mereka berpeluang melanjutkan pelajaran di peringkat yang lebih tinggi atas sebab dasar yang telah dibuat tanpa mengambil kira persekitaran dan suasana hidup yang mereka hadapi serta tiadanya usaha untuk membantu mereka mencapai cita-cita ini. (Awang Sariyan, 1991).

Berdasarkan kajian yang telah dilakukan terhadap pencapaian prestasi akademik bagi salah satu matapelajaran Sains iaitu Kimia dalam SPM tahun 1996-1998, hanya sejumlah 3.5% , 3.8% dan 4.2% pelajar bumiputera mendapat A1 dan A2 masing-masing pada tahun 1996, 1997, dan 1998. Ini menunjukkan peratus peningkatan pencapaian pelajar adalah amat kecil, meskipun soalan yang dikemukakan adalah dalam Bahasa Melayu. (Kamal Shukri Abdullah Sani, 2002).

Dalam era Globalisasi tanpa sempadan ini, semua warga kota bersetuju tentang peri pentingnya kemahiran serta penguasaan Bahasa Inggeris di kalangan penduduk Malaysia berbilang agama, bangsa, keturunan dan pendapatan. Tetapi dasar memperInggeriskan ( mengajar dan menilai dalam Bahasa Inggeris ) mata pelajaran Sains dan Matematik dalam sistem pendidikan Malaysia bukanlah jalan penyelesaiannya yang mutlak. Sebaliknya, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia yang memiliki professionalisme serta pakar-pakar dalam bidang pendidikan, pengajaran serta pembelajaran perlulah mengemukakan alternatif lain yang terbaik dan berpandangan jauh demi menjamin cita-cita yang dimaktubkan dalam Wawasan 2020.

SEJARAH BAHASA MELAYU MENJADI BAHASA KEBANGSAAN

Kesedaran orang melayu terhadap identiti dan Bahasa Melayu menyebabkan mereka bertindak memajukan pengajaran Bahasa Melayu dan memperjuangkan kedudukan bahasa tersebut dalam masyarakat. Malah, beberapa golongan telah merintis jalan dengan memperjuangkan kedaulatan Bahasa Melayu selaras dengan profesion masing-masing. Para guru memperjuangkan Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa penghantar yang tunggal di negara ini. Tuntutan ini datang daripada golongan masyarakat Melayu yang berpendidikan Arab dan sebahagiannya yang berpendidikan Inggeris. Persatuan-persatuan guru juga turut memainkan peranan penting dalam usaha mengangkat martabat Bahasa Melayu. Manakala, guru-guru lain turut memberi pengakuan tentang betapa mustahaknya Bahasa Melayu diberi status yang sewajarnya. Akhirnya Bahasa Melayu dapat diterima sebagai Bahasa Rasmi dan Bahasa Kebangsaan yang tunggal di Tanah Melayu.

PERKEMBANGAN BAHASA MELAYU

Perkembangan Bahasa Melayu agak pesat dan peranan serta fungsinya amat luas sama ada dilihat dari perspektif pendidikan mahupun dalam urusan rasmi dan tidak rasmi di Malaysia. Bahasa Melayu telah menjadi bahasa penghantar di sekolah-sekolah kebangsaan dan jenis kebangsaan. Kini Bahasa Melayu merupakan salah satu daripada matapelajaran wajib yang diajar dan dipelajari di sekolah rendah, menengah, tinggi dan maktab perguruan; misalnya kursus Pengajian Melayu yang ditawarkan di Universiti Malaya pada peringkat lepasan ijazah mengiktiraf akan kepentingan Bahasa Melayu. Penubuhan Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka yang diberi tanggungjawab melaksanakan Bahasa Melayu dalam pendidikan khususnya yang berhubung dengan penerbitan dan perkembangan bahasa dan sastera. Selain itu, penubuhan Institusi Bahasa yang bertujuan untuk melatih dan menghasilkan guru-guru yang berwibawa dalam pengajaran Bahasa Melayu dan menjalankan penyelidikan dalam pelbagai aspek tentang bahasa khasnya Bahasa Melayu. Bahasa Melayu dianggap penting dan kelulusan wajib diperlukan dalam peperiksaan awam bagi memenuhi syarat persijilan. Secara beransur-ansur Bahasa Melayu telah diterima sebagai salah satu syarat bagi kelulusan peperiksaan awam. Malah universiti-universiti tempatan telah menggunakan Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa penghantar pengajian. Jelaslah bahawa Bahasa Melayu yang dianggap sebagai bahasa kampungan oleh penjajah barat dan hanya untuk dipertuturkan oleh kelas bawahan dalam tahap sosial Malaysia seperti golongan petani, buruh dan nelayan tidak benar sama sekali memandangkan kini Bahasa Melayu semakin menunjukkan kemampuannya untuk kental bersaing sehingga berjaya melahirkan para cerdik pandai atau ilmuwan yang menggunakan media Bahasa Melayu sebagai perantara.

BAHASA MELAYU DALAM PENDIDIKAN TEKNOLOGI MAKLUMAT

Teknologi Maklumat dan Komunikasi ( ICT ) yang merupakan tempias atau kesan lansung daripada perkembangan dan kemajuan yang pesat dalam bidang mikroelektronik sehingga menghasilkan pelbagai kemudahan teknologi maklumat seperti komputer peribadi, telekomunikasi multimedia dan sebagainya. Seterusnya kemunculan internet telah meluaskan penggunaan ICT dengan jaringan informasi bersepadu sehingga membolehkan diaplikasikan sebagai media komunikasi yang melibatkan teks, bunyi, grafik dan video. Fenomena ini secara langsung mempengaruhi dan mencabar kewibawaan dan kedudukan Bahasa Melayu di rantau Nusantara ini.

Institusi pendidikan adalah medium penting untuk mengukuhkan lagi nilai dan keperluan Bahasa Melayu di kalangan generasi muda bangsa Melayu melalui sistem pendidikan yang mengambil kira penyerapan dan penyebatian kemajuan dan perkembangan ICT. Misalnya, generasi muda akan mempunyai peluang untuk menghalusi Bahasa Melayu ke dalam jiwa mereka melalui kegiatan dan aktiviti bercorak Bahasa Melayu dengan menggunakan teknologi maya yang diasaskan oleh kemudahan internet. Adalah disedari umum akan dominasi Bahasa Inggeris dalam internet yang menjadi pencetus teknologi dan ilmu pengetahuan pelbagai bidang yang diinginkan oleh masyarakat dunia. Dalam hal ini, masyarakat mestilah tegas dalam menentukan kedudukan Bahasa Melayu dan peranan bahasa yang dipelajari dalam sistem pendidikan mereka. Jika bahasa asing yang dipelajari memerlukan makmal dan program khusus dalam menguasainya maka tidak perlu diketepikan juga kepentingan penyediaan prasarana dan program yang sedemikian rupa kepada Bahasa Melayu dalam sistem pendidikan.

Penggunaan Bahasa Melayu dalam kegiatan teknologi maklumat masih belum mencapai tahap yang memuaskan. Perkara ini dapat dilihat dalam kegiatan bercorak pendidikan seperti persidangan teknologi maklumat di mana tahap penggunaan Bahasa Melayu amat sedikit dan kurang mendapat sambutan daripada orang ramai. Ini disebabkan oleh sebilangan anggota masyarakat berasa lebih selesa dan lebih maju jika menggunakan medium Bahasa Inggeris. Sementelahan, penggunaan Bahasa Melayu dalam kegiatan teknologi maklumat dianggap tidak bertaraf antarabangsa kerana penggunaan Bahasa Inggeris dianggap mempunyai nilai ekonomi dan sosial yang lebih tinggi berbanding dengan Bahasa Melayu.

Suatu kajian telah dilaksanakan untuk menganalisis terhadap jenis bahasa yang kerap digunakan dalam web organisasi di Malaysia. Kategori yang telah dianalisis dalam kajian ini ialah Organisasi Perniagaan, Organisasi Kerajaan, Kerajaan Negeri dan Badan-Badan Berkanun. Bagi Organisasi Kerajaan misalnya, daripada 214 laman web yang dilawati kira-kira 35% laman web menggunakan Bahasa Melayu manakala 29% lagi menggunakan Bahasa Inggeris. Kesimpulan daripada kajian ini mendapati, tahap penggunaan Bahasa Melayu dalam laman web adalah memuaskan. Tetapi perisian pendidikan dalam versi Bahasa Melayu masih lagi ketinggalan. (Aziz Deraman, 2001).

Penggunaan Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi yang wujud kini mengambil beberapa bentuk. Salah satu daripadanya ialah penggubalan istilah Bahasa Melayu untuk mengungkap konsep dan gagasan tertentu dalam kedua-dua teknologi ini.

Antaranya ialah :-

1. e-mel (electronic mail)
2. e-pendidikan (electronic education)
3. k-masyarakat (knowledge society)
4. e-dagang (electronic commerce)
5. k-ekonomi (knowledge economy)
6. k-pekerja (knowledge worker)

Ungkapan atau istilah yang berbentuk “e-pendidikan”, “k-pekerja”, dan sebagainya yang mengambil acuan “e…..” dan “k…..” sebenarnya telah melanggar hukum D-M.(Diterangkan-Menerangkan) Dengan terciptanya ungkapan/istilah sebegini, kita sebenarnya membenarkan sesuatu yang menyalahi dan tidak dibenarkan dalam Bahasa Melayu. Misalnya e-mel yang membawa erti elektronik mel dan k-pekerja yang membawa erti knowledge pekerja. Ungkapan/istilah yang bermula dengan “k-“ itu tidak sahaja melanggar hukum D-M, tetapi juga membenarkan kemasukan sejenis gabungan baru yang mengekalkan unsur Bahasa Inggeris dalam bentuk asalnya ke dalam sistem Bahasa Melayu. Hal ini merupakan satu perkembangan baru dalam morfologi Bahasa Melayu khasnya, dan dalam Bahasa Melayu amnya. Walaubagaimanapun Bahasa Melayu harus turut dilibatkan dalam skop yang lebih luas daripada yang wujud kini.

Beberapa usaha telah diutarakan untuk memajukan penggunaan Bahasa Melayu dalam teknologi maklumat. Antaranya ialah memberi pengiktirafan dalam bentuk skim ganjaran atau anugerah kepada sesiapa yang berjuang dalam memartabatkan Bahasa Melayu. Selain itu, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka haruslah mencari istilah dan bahasa dalam teknologi maklumat bagi semua golongan pengguna Bahasa Melayu secara percuma dan ini boleh diperhebatkan melalui gerbang web bahasa Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka yang sedia ada. Di samping itu, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka harus menyediakan prasarana yang lebih dinamik dalam usaha untuk mengembangkan istilah dan bahasa dalam gerbang web yang sedia ada. Sikap permuafakatan dan kerjasama perlu terjalin dalam usaha memantapkan lagi teknologi maklumat berbahasa Melayu dan harus pertingkatkan pada peringkat negara serantau. Sementelahan, pihak National IT Council (NITC), Perbadanan Pembangunan Multimedia (MDC), dan IPTA boleh melonggokkan perisian aplikasi generic berbahasa Melayu yang murah dan mudah diperolehi di pasaran negara.

Di peringkat dunia, penutur Bahasa Melayu adalah seramai lebih 250 juta orang. Ini meletakkan kedudukan status Bahasa Melayu di tempat keempat teramai penuturnya selepas bahasa Mandarin, Sepanyol dan Inggeris. Jadi tidaklah mustahil jika Bahasa Melayu menjadi bahasa komunikasi dan dipelajari di seluruh dunia melalui teknologi maya jika masyarakat kepada bahasanya mengambil kesempatan dari pembentukan dunia sejagat tanpa sempadan dan sekatan yang menjadi fenomena sekarang ini.

BAHASA MELAYU DALAM ERA GLOBALISASI

Dalam konteks pergolakan bahasa yang sedang berlaku pada masa kini, ramai yang tertanya-tanya akan kedudukan Bahasa Melayu pada masa akan datang. Hakikatnya, persoalan pokok ialah tentang peranan Bahasa Melayu pada abad ke-21 kerana abad ke-21 ialah abad Globalisasi, abad kemajuan sains dan teknologi dan abad kejayaan teknologi maklumat. Bahasa Melayu yang telah berperanan sebagai bahasa lingua-franca sejak dahulu lagi. Ini membuktikan bahawa Bahasa Melayu sudah mampu memainkan peranannya sebelum zaman moden dan maju lagi. Maka adalah mustahil jika kemajuan, kesanggupan dan kewibawaan Bahasa Melayu diragui dalam era Globalisasi. (A. Kadir Ahmad, 1995).

Peranan Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa ilmu pengetahuan moden akan tetap kekal walaupun tidak dinafikan bahawa, Bahasa Inggeris turut berfungsi sebagai bahasa untuk menimba ilmu di negara ini. Keadaan ini tidak bercanggah kerana sudah menjadi dasar pendidikan negara untuk menghasilkan pelajar yang bersifat dwibahasa. Seseorang pegawai pertanian, misalnya, yang ingin menyampaikan taklimat tentang sistem perairan terkini yang baru dipelajarinya melalui kursus yang dianjurkan oleh pendengarnya yang merupakan petani biasa akan lebih selesa berbahasa Melayu.

Jelaslah bahawa bahasa Melayu tetap mempunyai peranan sebagai bahasa ilmu dalam dunia abad ke-21. Namun, kejayaan Bahasa Melayu dalam tugas ini amat bergantung kepada kesediaan pengamal Bahasa Melayu untuk menggunakan bahasa tersebut sebagai bahasa ilmu. Jika rasa megah terhadap Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa ilmu tidak lagi wujud dan jika semua pihak lebih selesa menggunakan Bahasa Inggeris, maka lama-kelamaan fungsi Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa ilmu akan merosot. Tetapi, orang Melayu optimistik sifatnya, berdasarkan kejayaan Bahasa Melayu dalam 30 tahun yang lalu, potensi yang ada bagi bahasa Melayu untuk kekal sebagai bahasa ilmu adalah amat cerah.

Satu lagi peranan yang dapat dimainkan oleh Bahasa Melayu pada abad ke-21 ialah sebagai pemangkin kepada proses pembinaan tamadun masyarakat Malaysia. Tanpa menafikan peranan Bahasa Inggeris, pembinaan bentuk masyarakat Malaysia abad ke-21 yang unggul dapat dicorakkan oleh Bahasa Melayu, iaitu berdasarkan pendapat yang mengatakan bahawa kita hendaklah maju dan berkembang mengikut acuan sendiri.

Peranan Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) juga tidak harus diketepikan dalam perancangan Bahasa Melayu di Malaysia menjelang abad ke-21. Antara fungsi utamanya ialah menyertai usaha “Pembangunan Bahasa Melayu tinggi” di mana usaha ini akan dilakukan bersama dengan “Pembudayaan Ilmu Tinggi”. Selain itu, DBP juga perlu merancang penerbitan karya-karya bermutu dan berilmu pengetahuan yang tinggi seperti buku-buku sains dan kemasyarakatan. Ini akan meningkatkan pemikiran yang tinggi di kalangan masyarakat.

Usaha penterjemahan buku daripada bahasa asing ke dalam Bahasa Melayu perlu dilaksanakan supaya dapat membantu meningkatkan lagi pemahaman masyarakat Malaysia yang tidak fasih membaca dalam bahasa-bahasa lain. Usaha ini harus dilakukan dengan cepat, mudah, murah dan banyak supaya dapat dimanfaatkan oleh seluruh masyarakat. Pada masa kini, DBP sedang berusaha untuk menghasilkan sistem penterjemahan berkomputer yang dapat mempercepatkan lagi proses penerbitan buku-buku terjemahan. (Ismail bin Dahaman, 1991).

Terdapat beberapa fasa yang diusahakan oleh DBP dalam proses pembangunan Bahasa Melayu. Fasa pertama iaitu penerimaan bahasa oleh masyarakat Malaysia telah mencapai matlamatnya. Manakala, fasa yang kedua iaitu “pembinaan bahasa” yang juga dikenali sebagai fasa “pengintelektualan” bahasa merupakan fasa yang perlu ditingkatkan menjelang abad ke-21. Fasa yang ketiga ialah “penyempurnaan” bahasa dari segi kemantapan, keharmonian dan keefisienan, yang mana fasa ini harus dijadikan misi pendidikan Bahasa Melayu menjelang abad ke-21. Akhirnya, fasa keempat merupakan “pembudayaan” bahasa di mana fasa ini belum dilaksanakan lagi. Dalam pembudayaan penggunaan Bahasa Melayu, ia menitikberatkan penggunaan tatabahasa yang betul, penggunaan yang persis dan isi yang tepat. (Awang Had Salleh, 1991)

DEWAN BAHASA DAN PUSTAKA (DBP)

Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka atau singkatannya (DBP) Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, adalah sebuah badan berkanun yang diberi autonomi untuk menggubal dasarnya yang khusus iaitu menyusun program pembinaan dan pengembangan bahasa dan sastera, dan menjalankan kegiatan penerbitan dan perniagaan buku secara kompetatif menurut prinsip dan amalan perusahaan dan profesion penerbitan yang sentiasa dinamik. Institusi ini telah ditubuhkan pada Jun 1956 dan rancangan penubuhan institusi ini dirangka oleh Kerajaan Perikatan sebelum mencapai kemerdekaan sebagai salah satu alternatif untuk menjamin supaya Bahasa Melayu mencapai taraf perkembangan yang sesuai dengan kemajuan politik, Ilmu pengetahuan dan kemasyarakatan untuk menggantikan Bahasa Inggeris dalam masa sepuluh tahun selepas kemerdekaan. Selain daripada itu, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka mempunyai aktanya sendiri iaitu Akta DBP 1959 (semakan tahun 1978, pindaan dan perluasan 1995) yang selaras dengan tujuan penubuhan. Antara peruntukkan akta DBP yang mengikat dan memberikan kuasa adalah dalam hal-hal seperti membina dan memperkaya Bahasa Kebangsaan dalam semua bidang termasuk sains dan teknologi, mengembangkan bakat sastera, khususnya dalam Bahasa Kebangsaan dan juga membakukan ejaan dan sebutan serta membentuk istilah yang sesuai dalam Bahasa Kebangsaan. Selain daripada itu, peruntukkan akta DBP turut menerangkan tentang penggalakkan penggunaan Bahasa Kebangsaan yang betul dan juga menggalakkan penggunaan Bahasa Kebangsaan secara meluas bagi segala maksud mengikut undang-undang yang sedang berkuasa. Pembinaan negara bangsa di Malaysia telah dijadikan falsafah dalam asas perjuangan DBP. Dalam usaha menuju ke arah ini, DBP telah merangka beberapa strategi dalaman dan luaran, antaranya adalah mengembangkan Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa rasmi supaya digunakan dalam semua urusan rasmi, nama jabatan, jawatan dan ciptaan semua dokumen rasmi dan undang-undang komunikasi sama ada lisan dan tulisan serta komunikasi jabatan kerajaan dengan pihak swasta. Selain daripada itu, DBP telah merangka supaya Bahasa Melayu digunakan dalam semua urusan perniagaan, nama syarikat, nama pertubuhan, nama produk, nama perkhidmatan dan nama bandar, nama jalan, nama taman perumahan dan sebagainya.

Dalam konteks luaran pula, ia membawa maksud perancangan strategi penyebaran dan peluasanBahasa Melayu di luar negara. DBP ingin mengembangkan Bahasa Melayu dan menyebarluaskannya di pentas antarabangsa dengan menubuhkan pusat-pusat pembelajaran Bahasa Melayu di luar negara. Ini dapat dilihat dan dibuktikan apabila DBP telah berusaha untuk menubuhkan Jabatan Bahasa Melayu di luar negara terutamanya di Asia antaranya ialah Tokyo University of Foreign Studies di Jepun dan juga Hankuk University di Korea. Selain daripada itu, DBP juga telah berusaha untuk menubuhkan Jabatan Bahasa Melayu di luar benua Asia seperti di School of Oriental and African Studies,London, di University of Moscow dan beberapa buah lagi pusat pengajian tinggi di luar negera seperti di Australia dan negara-negara lain.

Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka juga telah berusaha untuk menimbulkan semangat ingin belajar dan menggunakan Bahasa Kebangsaan di kalangan orang ramai sehingga pengenalan Minggu Bahasa Kebangsaan. Program ini buat pertama kalinya telah dilancarkan pada tahun 1960 dan seterusnya menjadi program tahunan sehingga kemunculan Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan. Sebagai pusat penyelenggaraan Minggu dan Bulan Bahasa Kebangsaan, DBP telah terkenal di seluruh pelusuk tanahair dan di luar negera. Melalui daya usaha DBP dengan kerjasama Maktab Penguruan Bahasa maka telah ditubuhkan Jawatankuasa Kursus Bahasa Kebangsaan untuk pegawai-pegawai kerajaan. Dengan kesungguhan yang ditunjukkan oleh DBP maka adalah tidak mustahil jika pada suatu hari nanti Bahasa Melayu akan menjadi sebuah bahasa yang mendapat pengiktirafan di peringkat antarabangsa seperti Bahasa Inggeris. Cuba kita bayangkan pada suatu masa nanti, masyarakat antarabangsa menggunakan Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa pengantar dan digunakan dengan meluas seperti penggunaan Bahasa Inggeris pada hari ini. Impian ini mungkin akan tercapai sekiranya bukan sahaja DBP tetapi seluruh rakyat Malaysia memainkan peranan masing-masing dalam mengembangkan Bahasa Melayu.

KESIMPULAN

Pada abad ke-21 ini, Bahasa Melayu telah meniti cabaran yang getir untuk mencapai hasrat dan wawasan negara dalam usaha meletakkan Malaysia setanding dengan bahasa-bahasa lain di dunia ini. Bagi mencapai hasrat ini, pelbagai usaha telah diusahakan oleh pihak kerajaan. Salah satu daripadanya adalah kerajaan telah berjanji akan memberi keutamaan kepada Bahasa Melayu dalam penyediaan perisian Koridor Raya Multimedia (MSC). Perkara ini bukan sesuatu yang mustahil untuk dilaksanakan dengan wujudnya sekolah bestari di negara ini telah membuktikan bahawa Bahasa Melayu mampu bersaing dengan bahasa lain.

Peranan Bahasa Melayu sebagai pembina intelek masyarakat kian tercabar dan dicabar. Di abad ini kita seharusnya dapat memajukan dan memartabatkan Bahasa Melayu bukan sahaja di bumi Malaysia tetapi juga di persada antarabangsa. Buktinya, kita telah berjaya melahirkan para cerdik pandai dan ilmuwan yang menggunakan media Bahasa Melayu.

Dalam konteks Malaysia, persaingan dengan Bahasa Inggeris seharusnya menjadi asas yang kukuh untuk meningkatkan penggunaan dan pelaksanaan Bahasa Melayu dalam seluruh sistem pendidikan negara. Kita tidak seharusnya mewujudkan satu tembok penghalang antara Bahasa Melayu dengan Bahasa Inggeris. Bahasa Inggeris mempunyai sumbangannya tersendiri dalam mempertingkatkan Bahasa Melayu. Bahasa Inggeris mempunyai khazanah ilmunya tersendiri dan boleh dimanfaatkan untuk kepentingan negara terutamanya di dalam pendidikan dan ekonomi.

Sesungguhnya kita semua sebagai rakyat Malaysia yang hidup di dalam sebuah negara yang mempunyai pelbagai kaum seharusnya memainkan peranan masing-masing bagi memartabatkan dan meningkatkan Bahasa Melayu. Kita tidak mahu Bahasa Melayu ditindas oleh bahasa-bahasa yang lain kerana bahasa melambangkan sesebuah bangsa. Seperti kata Hang Tuah, “Takkan Melayu hilang di dunia” dan itulah sebenarnya kita semua inginkan.

FIRST INFORMATION REPORT - FIR

First Information Report or the First Information Report is information which is given first in the point of time. Obviously, there cannot be more than one FIR in one case; however there may be many the victims in one case. In a FIR, there is two main conditions to be satisfied before an information could be treated as FIR, which is it must be an information and secondly it must relate to a cognizable offence on the face of it and not merely in the light of the subsequent events. Besides that, a FIR, in other words must be in the nature of a complaint or accusation with the object of getting the law in motion, where it is more to an earliest report made to the police officer with a view to his taking action in the matter or an information given by an informant on which the investigation is commenced. The FIR will be treated by any information given or phone in respect of a cognizable offence to a police officer in charge of a police station. Apart from that, we also can quote some specific sections under the Evidence Act about FIR, where it is stated in Section 74 that, documents which can be entertained as a public documents are include of any documents forming the acts or records of the acts of sovereign authority, official bodies, public officers, legislative, judicial, executive and public records which kept in Malaysia of private documents.

We also can refer to the Criminal Procedure Code under Section 107 about the information of offence where in subsection (1) stated that ‘every information relating to the commission of an offence if given orally to an officer in charge of a police station, shall be reduced to writing by him or under his direction and be read over to the informant’ and in subsection (2) stated that ‘every such information shall be entered in a book to be kept by the officer, who shall append to such entry the date and hour on which that information was given, and whether given in writing or reduced to writing as aforesaid shall be signed by the person giving it’. Referring to Section 108A of the same act, it also mentions that the information reduced to writing shall be admitted as evidence of the contents of the original and of the time, place and manner in which the information was so recorded. The FIR can be lodged at any police station, where the information should be to the Officer in Charge of the police station, or to the Superior Police Officers, or even to the Chief Minister of the State. Besides that, the person who can lodge FIR is not necessary by an eyewitness; it also can be lodged by the accused, or by the Station House Officer or even by the General Power Of Attorney.

(a) Whether such FIR is a condition precedent to the commencement of criminal investigations?

The phrase ‘first information report’ refers to the initial information relating to the commission of an offence given to the police under Section 107 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The first information report is usually made very early after the occurrence offence and forms the basis of the case. There is no requirement that the initial information be given by a person who has personal knowledge of the incident. The first information report is also the basis upon which the police will commence their investigation. In the course of such investigation, the police will be empowered to require the attendance of witnesses, examine witnesses, record statements under caution, to produce the accused before a magistrate to have his confession recorded by the magistrate, conduct searches, apply for a remand order, and require a bond for the appearance of the complainant and witness.

The first information report is not however a condition precedent to the starting of criminal investigations. Section 107 also requires every information relating to the commission of an offence, if given orally to an officer in charge of a police st6ation, to be reduced into writing by the officer or under his direction and to be read over to the informant. The police will normally record the information first and then proceed to investigate the matter in order to avoid any confusion later. However if the police officer comes to know of an offence while on beat or while the offence is being committed, he should not waste time in recording the information and thereby give the accused a chance to dispose of the incriminating articles or get away with the fruits of his crime. Indeed the receipt and recording of an information report is not a condition precedent to the setting in motion of a criminal investigation, and neither is it a condition precedent to the setting in motion of a criminal prosecution.

FIR is strictly no doubt is a early record and the first version of the alleged criminal activity conveyed to the police officer with the object of putting the police in motion in order to investigate, so this means it is an important and valuable document. It also merely marks the beginning of the investigations into the reported offence and its value must accordingly depend on the circumstances of each case including the nature of crime, the position of the informant and the opportunity he had of witnessing the whole or part of the commission of the alleged offence. Besides that FIR should not be treated as the last word to commence a criminal investigation because at is an important and valuable piece of evidence which sets the motion in the machinery of law for investigation of a case, although it is not expected to contain all the details. We also can relate this aspect by referring to cases of PP v Foong Chee Cheong, where Gill J stated that FIR can never be treated as piece of substantive evidence and the fact that no first information report was made is not in itself a ground for throwing out a case. The powers of the police to investigate do not depend solely on Chapter XIII of the Criminal Procedure Code and also acquitted that the accused without calling for his defence on the ground, inter alia, that since the information of the informant had not been reduced into writing in the first instance, the police had no power to act and that consequently the arrest of the accused was void in law. Another case to be related is the case of Khwaja Nazir Ahmad, Privy Council Justice held that FIR is not a main condition to the commencement of criminal investigations but it was given affirmation to sight the first information of an criminal offence and note the statement before it meant to be forgotten or exaggerated.

So to conclude, FIR is not a condition precedent to the commencement of investigations because it only creates the basic aspect that is the affirmation to state an information of an offence into a writing statement and start to investigate about the crime where in other words, making it easy to the police to start to investigate because there is a content about the time, place, and manner in which the information was so recorded.

(b) Discuss whether any evidentiary value to be attached to such FIR?

The first information report is not to be treated as a substantive piece of evidence. The first information report can be only used for the purpose of corroboration and contradiction. In the case of Autar Singh v Emperor the Indian court held that the first information is a document of great importance and in practice it is always and very rightly produced and proved in criminal trials. But it is not a piece of substantive evidence and it can be used only as a previous statement admissible to corroborate or contradict the author of it. Besides that the first information report is also admissible for corroboration under Section 157 of Evidence Act 1950 where it provides that ‘ in order to corroborate the testimony of the witness, any formal statement made by him whether written or verbal, on oath, or in ordinary conversation, relating to the same fact at or about the time and the fact to place, or before any authority legally competent to be investigate the fact, may be proved. Although the first information report may be admitted under Section 157 for the purposes of corroboration, it constitutes a very weak type of corroborative evidence. It appears that Section 157 of the Evidence Act 1950 is concerned with the consistency of the witness rather than the type of corroborative evidence since it tends to defeat the object of the rule that a person cannot corroborate himself. We can refer in the case of Karthiyayani & Anor v Lee Leong Sin & Anor where the Federal Court held that it is settle law that a person cannot corroborate himself but it would appear that Section 157 of the Evidence Act 1950 enable a person to corroborate his testimony by his previous statement. The rule is based on the assumption that consistency of utterance is a ground for belief rule in the witness truthfulness just as inconsistency is a ground for disbelieving him. So, the previous statement made under Section 157 is admissible as corroboration, it constitutes a very weak type of corroborative evidence as it tends to defeat the object of the rule that a person cannot corroborate himself.

In other words, FIR is not a substantive evidence where before it can be used its scribe or the information must be examine in the court. Hence, by mere mention of the name of an accused in FIR or number of vehicle does not connect such person or vehicle with the crime. It can be related in the case of Dhirendra Nath v State, the Calcutta High Court while emphasising the value of the FIR observed as follows that the FIR is at the time regarded as a part of the res ges tae and on that basis it is sometimes used, not merely for the purpose of corroborating or contradicting the person who lodged it but also for the purpose of lending some assurance to or negativing the general account as given by other witnesses. Apart from that we can also refer to the case of The State v Makund Harijan & Anor, the Orrisa High Court ‘no doubt FIR can strictly speaking, be used only to corroborate or contradict the maker of it but omissions of important facts, affecting the probabilities of the case, are relevant under this Section 11 of the Evidence Act in judging the veracity of the prosecution case’.

It is settled law that the FIR is not substantive evidence. It can be used only to contradict the maker thereof or for corroborating is evidence and also to show that the implication of the accused was not an after-thought. Since the examination of first informant was dispensed with by consent, FIR becomes part of the prosecution evidence. Though the FIR is not a substantive piece of evidence, it can be also used to test and measure the trustworthiness of the prosecution story as a whole.

The FIR is admissible under Section 157 of Evidence Act because it can be used for one of the limited purposes of corroboration or contradicting the maker thereof and another purposes for which the FIR can be used is to show the implication of the accused to be not an after thought or that the FIR can be used under Section 32 (1) of the Evidence Act or under Section 8 of the Evidence Act as to be caused of the informant’s death or as part of the informer’s conduct. This can be viewed by referring to the case of Kishan Chand v State of Rajasthan where the judge held that FIR cannot be used as substantive evidence, not the contents of the report can be said to furnished testimony against the accused than such FIR would not be covered by any of the clauses of Section 32 and 33 of the Evidence Act and will not be admissible as substantive evidence.

As a conclusion, after weighing the essential of FIR to be used as a first stage of a prosecution and clearly reflects that FIR does not carry any evidentiary value to stand as a document which ought to be examined in the court trial. So, here FIR is a document which attached merely to corroborated and contradict any trial either prosecution or defence.

(c) Discuss any likely effects on the non production of such FIR during trial?

Where the evidence of the complainant is the only evidence against the accused the failure to produce the complainant report at the trial raises a presumption that it would, if produced, have been unfavourable to the prosecution’s case and is not merely an irregularity that can be cured under Section 422 of the CPC. In Chin Khing Siong v R, the evidence of the complainant was the only evidence against the accused apart from the formal evidence of the arrest. The complainant gave evidence that he made a police report but the report was not produced in the evidence. The High Court exercising its appellate criminal jurisdiction held that, the likely effect of non production of FIR during trial will be a fatal aspect to the prosecution case. If the report had told a story similar to that told by the complainant in the witness-box it would have been admissible in evidence under Section 157 of the evidence Act. If the report did not support the complainant’s story in the witness-box then he could have been cross-examine upon it under Section 145 of Evidence Act. So, this means if the report was not produced, Section 114 (g) of the Evidence Act will apply and presume that the report would have been unfavourable to the prosecution case. If this were so, the complainant’s evidence would have been discredited, and the whole case for the prosecution would have fallen to the ground. Besides that, the non production of FIR also will cause some effects such as the delay will cause a cloud of suspicion on the credibility of the entire warp and woof of prosecution case. Besides that the effect of delay and non production is also to scrutinize the prosecution evidence more thoroughly so as to sift truth from falsehood or grain from the chaff.

Apart from that, the effect of non production including delay in sending the FIR during trial provides a legitimate basis for suspecting that the FIR was recorded much later than the stated date and hour affording sufficient time to the prosecution to introduce improvements and establishments and set up a distorted version of the occurrence, and the non production caused some doubts that the FIR had been wrongly done and accused an innocent person for the crime committed. This will give a concern to the magistrate to view the entire prosecution with suspicion whereas failure to produce FIR will reflect malicious intention of police department and it will be derived to injustice to accused and injustice also to the legal system in a country.

Next effect is material fact which ought to be reviewed as concurrent evidence might be lost to establish by prosecution as to protect their interest so that prosecution may face difficulties to build up their case. We also can say that the non production of FIR is one aspect that can make an indication that there was likelihood of exaggeration being introduced or false accusation being thought of, and then onus lies on the prosecution to explain the non production and delay satisfactorily.

Therefore, the non production of FIR during trial can cause a big doubt on prosecution case, where it creates danger creeps in of the introduction of exaggerated account and harm on a innocent person, and finally state as a fatal aspect to a prosecution in court.

Conclusion

FIR is not condition precedent to the commencement of criminal investigations because it is just a basis upon which the police will have the clue to start a criminal investigation, as the FIR only focussed on the occurrence of the offence and forms the basis of case. The second question is there is no evidentiary value to be attached to such FIR because it is not treated as a substantive piece of evidence and only be used for the purpose of corroboration and contradiction evidence, and the third question there is lot of effects of non production of such FIR during trial where it is known to be fatal to the prosecution because it creates doubts and will be injustice to the accused and our legal system.

PLEADING

SYARIAH COURTS PLEADING AND ITS COMPARATIVE WITH CIVIL COURTS PLEADING
LEGAL DEFINITION OF PLEADING

In the law, a pleading is one of the papers filed with a court in a civil action, such as a claim/complaint, a demurrer, or an answer. A complaint is the first pleading filed by a plaintiff which initiates a lawsuit. A complaint sets forth the relevant allegations of fact that give rise to one or more legal causes of action along with a prayer for relief whereas a demurrer is a pleading filed by a defendant which challenges the legal sufficiency of a complaint and an answer is a pleading which admits or denies the specific allegations set forth in a complaint and constitutes a general appearance by a defendant. A defendant may also file a cross-claim/complaint as well as bringing other parties into a case by the process of impleader. Pleading is a statement in factual form. It is not a statement of evidence nor law and the person whom submit pleading called as litigant or lawyer.

Examples of pleadings are as follows:-

1. Statement of claim;
2. Statement of defence;
3. Counter-claim;
4. Reply to counter-claim; and
5. Reply to Statement of defence

FUNCTION OF PLEADING

1. To notify the parties about what are the claims or defence and inform each party what the case of the opposite party is which he will have to meet before and at the trial as to avoid surprises.
2. To limit and provide perimeter of claims and defences.
3. Pleadings also serve as a fair and proper notice to an opponent so as to enable him to frame and prepare his own case for trial.
4. It is so in reason to save court’s time by avoid non-arguable issues being introduced.

GENERAL RULES OF PLEADING

1. Pleading must be precise, concise and definite.
2. Litigant must use either Basic English or Malay Language.
3. Must be Facts and not evidence to be pleaded.
4. Every facts pleaded in pleadings must be proven by witness’s evidence.
5. The parties cannot invoke any matters or facts which not stated in the pleading.
6. The court unless satisfy can order for no submission if the case presented clearly.

SYARIAH COURTS PLEADING

Syariah Court is a body where it provides and governs the service of law according to the Islamic law and the enforcement of syariah jurisdiction based on law of syara in an effective manner. According to Syariah Court Civil Procedure [Federal Territories] Act 1997[hereinafter referred as the Act]; the Syariah court jurisdiction only applies to the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Labuan by virtue of Section 1(1).

Besides that, provision under Section 2 of the Syariah Court Civil Procedure [Federal Territories] Act 1997 shall have effect in all civil proceedings commenced in any Syariah Court except as otherwise provided under any other written law or ordered by the Court.

These Act briefly provide and stipulate the manner of lawsuit to be conducted in a Syariah Civil Proceedings. The mode of beginning a civil proceeding in Syariah Court according to the Act are based on Section 7(1) that states “subject to Subsection (2) or any other written law, every civil proceedings in a court shall be begun by summons” and in Subsection (2) states that “all proceedings in respect of any of the matters specified in the Second Schedule shall be begun by application”.

The system of pleadings in the Syariah Court, laid under Section 63(1) of the Syariah Court Civil Procedure [Federal Territories] Act 1997 that states every statement of claim shall be signed by the plaintiff or his Peguam Syarie and shall contain the following aspects :-

1. A concise statement, in numbered paragraphs, of the fact relied on by the plaintiff and indicating his cause of action, including particulars of any special capacity in which the plaintiff sues;
2. Sufficient particulars of the claim;
3. A statement of the relief claimed; and
4. Particulars of any other applications

Besides that, according to Section 63(2) “where more than one cause of action is relied on the ground of each and the relief claimed thereon shall be stated separately.

However, defendant relying on Section 64(1) of the Act, which said “a defendant who disputes his liability for the whole or part of any claim in the action may take action based on proviso as follows:-

1. That says at any time before the day of appearance, serve on the plaintiff a defence; or
2. Appear on the day of appearance and dispute the plaintiff’s claim

If a defendant appears in Court and disputes the plaintiff's claim, the Court by Section 64(2) may order him to serve a defence within such time as it may direct and this defence must be filled in through Form MS16 as stipulated under Section 64(3) of the Act. Defendant’s defence pleading in Syariah Court should be according with Section 65(1) of the Act where it stated that every defence shall be signed by the defendant or his Peguam Syarie and shall either follow the provisions under proviso as follows:-

1. Admit or deny every material allegation of the fact in the statement of claim;
2. State concisely any new facts on which the defendant relies by way of defence; and
3. Raise concisely and without argument any necessary matters of law

But, bear in mind that denial under Section 65(1) must be clear which shall answer all the point of substance brought on him/her.

In relation to a counterclaim in Syariah Court which according Section 66(1) of the Act, where every counterclaim shall contain/ascertain the like matter and particulars as a statement of claim and shall be signed by the defendant or his Peguam Syarie.

Whereas, Section 66(2), reminds that a counterclaim shall not be made against any person not then a party to the action brought in as stated under statement of claim, but if a cross action is brought an order for consolidation may be made by the leave of Court.

Whenever defendant enter counterclaims, the plaintiff shall, if he desires to defend the counterclaim file and cause to be served on the defendant a defence to the counterclaim within such time as the Court shall direct as ascertain in Section 67(1) of the Act. Meaning that, if the plaintiff fails to comply with Section 67(1) and so Section 16 shall apply, as if the plaintiff were a defendant. Section 16(1) of the Act states that “notwithstanding anything in this Act, the Court may, in its discretion will allow any claim or defence to be made orally as provided that in such a case the Court shall record the particulars of the claim or defence having regard to the requirements of this Act relating to summons or applications, as the case may be”.

Accordance with Section 68 of the Act “if a defence of tender before action is raised, the defendant shall, on filing his defence, pay into Court the amount alleged to have been tendered”. Then the court according to Section 69 of the Act may for sufficient reason grant leave to file and deliver a reply to a defence, whether such defence is a defence against a claim or a counterclaim.

In the case of Non-compliance in the manner or procedure of pleading the Court may refuse to accept pleading and direct for amendment. This is stipulated under Section 70 of the Act. Simply it mean that if any pleading does not contain sufficient particulars, the court may, of its own motion or on the application of any party, order the party responsible to file and cause to be served further and better particulars, and may stay all proceedings pending compliance, as per in Section 71(1) of the Act, and by virtue of Section 71(2), further and better particulars may be filed and served on request without order as consequence of non-compliance.

However, by virtue of Section 80(1) of the Act the Court may at any stage of the proceedings before ruling or judgment, allow the plaintiff to amend his summons, or any party to amend his pleading, on such terms as to costs or otherwise as may be just and in such manner, if any, as it may direct. If the amendment referred to in Section 80(1) made after any relevant period of limitation current at the date of issue of the summons has expired, the Court may, if it thinks just, grant such leave on such terms as it thinks fit. It is court’s discretionary power by taking into consideration the parties equality and in the save of justice according to Section 80(2). And any party to any proceedings may amend his pleading at any time before the service of pleadings to the other party without the order of the court as provided under Section 80 of Subsection (3).

CIVIL COURTS PLEADING

Pleadings are statements in writing drawn up and filed by each party to an action stating what his contention will be at the trial and giving all such details as his opponents needs to know in order to prepare his case in answer. It is a cardinal rule that parties is bound by their pleadings and are not allowed adduce facts which they had not pleaded. In the case of Blay v Pollard & Morris (1930) Scrutton LJ observed that “cases must be decided on the issues on the record; and if it is desired to raise other issues they may be placed on the record by amendment.

Some of the documents which come within the definition of pleadings are statement of claim, defence, reply, counterclaim, defence of counterclaim, a statement of claim indorsed on a writ of summons, and further and better particulars of pleadings. Some of the documents, which fall outside the definition of pleadings, are a general indorsement on a writ, a petition, summons or preliminary act, an originating summons and any affidavit or notice of appeal. An affidavit may stand as a pleading if specifically ordered by the court. When further and better particulars are furnished it amounts to pleadings. The objects of pleadings are as follows: (a) to define with clarity and precision the issues in dispute, (b) to require each party to give fair and proper notice to his opponent, in order to enable him to prepare his case and (c) to inform the court the issues, which are, required to be determined by the court.

The importance of pleadings was emphasized by the Supreme Court in the case of Lee Ah Chor v Southern Bank Bhd (1991). The court stated that where a vital issue was not raised in the pleadings it could not be allowed to be argued and to succeed on appeal. The rules regarding pleadings are set out under Order 18 of The Rules Of The High Court 1980.

Under Order 18 of The High Court Rules it is stated that a pleading must state the facts and not the law. In the case of Song Lian Chye v Tai Kian Cheong (1983), the Federal Court stated that it is a cardinal rule of pleading that law should not be pleaded. Order 18 Rule 7 states that pleadings must only contain material facts on which the party pleading relies for his claim or defence. It must state only the facts on which the party pleading relies for his claim or defence, and not the evidence by which they are to be proved. It also states that the facts must be in form of a concise statement, but in aiming at conciseness precision should not be sacrificed.

According to Order 18 Rule 6, the pleadings where necessary, shall be divided into paragraphs, numbered consecutively and each allegation being so far as is convenient contained in a separate paragraph. Dates, sums and figures shall be expressed in figures. It is also stated under Order 18 Rule 7(3) that allegation in anticipation of the opponent’s answer should not be made. The pleadings should be confined to what is material at the present stage of the action. Facts necessary for the enforcement of a legal right or duty must be mentioned. Thus in an action for breach of contract, it has to be stated specifically the terms of the contract and the breach thereof by the defendant.

Order 18 Rule 7(3) stipulated that facts, which the law presumes in ones favour or as to which the burden of proof lies upon the opponent need not be pleaded. The party also should not plead conclusion of law. However foreign law and certain customs and usage which are not judicially taken notice by the court, must be pleaded as facts.

All pleadings must be filed in the registry of the High Court where the writ issued and served within the prescribed time as stated below, unless the court gives leave to the contrary. According to Order 18 Rule 1, a statement of claim must be filed and served with the writ unless there is a general indorsement or within fourteen days after the defendant has entered appearance. Under Order 18 Rule 2, a statement of defence must be filed and served within fourteen days after the time limited for the appearance, or after the statement of claim is served on him. If the plaintiff intends to serve a reply he must do so within fourteen days after the service of the defence. This can be found under Order 18 Rule 3(4). If the defendant serves a defence with a counterclaim, the plaintiff must serve a reply if any, within fourteen days after the service of defence. If there is a counterclaim, a defence to the counterclaim within fourteen days after the service of the defence and counterclaim respectively. Generally both the reply and the defence to the to the counterclaim are joint and is served as one document. No pleading subsequent to a reply or a defence to a counterclaim can be served unless the court grants leave.

Normally parties are bound by their pleadings and they are not permitted to raise any issue at the trial if it is not pleaded. In the case of Mat bin Lim & Anor v Ho Yut Kam & Anor (1967), the plaintiff brought an action to recover damages for personal injuries. The defendant in their defence pleaded that the plaintiff’s claim was barred by limitation. In reply the plaintiff alleged there has been an acknowledgement of liability. The defendant applied for the plaintiff’s statement of claim to be struck out on the ground that it disclosed no reasonable cause of action. The court held that the acknowledgement should have been pleaded in the statement of claim and, as this was not done, the plaintiff’s statement of claim to be struck out must be allowed.

As discussed previous, pleadings are statements in writing prepared by the parties and served on each other. They consist of all the material facts on which the parties rely for the purpose of establishing a claim or defence. The pleading process only applies to an action commenced by writ. The term pleading is not positively defined by the rules but is expressed to exclude a petition, summons and preliminary act. An affidavit is not a pleading unless there is a specific order that it stands as one. Nor is a general endorsement on neither a writ, nor a notice of appeal a pleading. Pleadings include a statement of claim, a counterclaim, a defence and defence to counterclaim, a reply and subsequent responses served with the leave of court. When particulars of pleadings are given pursuant to a request or an order of court or voluntarily, they form part of the pleadings.

Every pleading must comply with the formal requirements laid down by the rules. These requirements ensure that the pleading is appropriately identified, that is it has the necessary details in relation to the suit, that the terminology used in respect of certain matters is consistent, that the content of the pleading is expressed in the appropriate form, and that it is properly endorsed and signed. Accordingly, every pleading must “bear on its face” the year in which the writ in the action was issued and the number of action, the title of the action and the description of the pleading. The pleadings must, if necessary, be divided into paragraphs numbered consecutively, each allegation being so far as convenient contained in a separate paragraph. Dates, sums and other numbers must be expressed in figures and not in words. Where the party sues or defends in person, the pleading must be endorsed with his name and address. In any other case, it should be endorsed with the name of the firm and business address of the solicitor by whom it was served. The pleading must be signed by the party’s solicitor or by the party, if he sues or defends in person. Specific provisions as to the paper used for the court documents must be considered in relation to the pleadings.

According to Order 18 Rule 20, pleadings in an action is deemed to be closed at the expiration of fourteen days after the service of the defence. However if there is a reply or defence to counterclaim pleadings is deemed to be closed after fourteen days of the service of the reply or defence to the counterclaim. It also can be noted under Order 18 Rule 22 that either party may, after the defendant has entered appearance apply to the court for an order that the action be tried without pleadings or further pleading as the case may be. The court may make an order provided it is satisfied that the issues in dispute between the parties can be defined without pleadings or further pleadings.

COMPARATIVE OF SYARIAH COURTS PLEADING WITH CIVIL COURTS PLEADING

Pleadings on Civil Courts system can be found under the Rules of The High Court 1980[hereinafter referred as the rules] of Order 18. The major differences which might be found under the rules are the limitation of time period set out for the parties to be bound in their procedure of submitting pleadings and the manner of endorsement of first instance pleadings on summons or writ by a plaintiff. Whereby Syariah Court Civil Procedure [Federal Territories] Act 1997 silent in these matters. Order 18 of Rule 1 of the rules stipulated that plaintiff must serve a statement of claim at any time after the service of the writ or summons but before the expiration of 14 days after that defendant enters an appearance. And defendant must enter his statement of defence before the expiration of 14 days after the time limited for appearing or after the statement of claim is served on him. By virtue of Order 18 of Rule 3(4) a plaintiff whom wants to reply to any defence and a defence to counterclaim must be served by the plaintiff before the expiration of 14 days after the service on him of that defence and counterclaim respectively.

Beside that, Syariah Court Civil Procedure [Federal Territories] Act 1997 silent in the way of illustrating the manner or frame of a pleading should be. Such in Order 18 Rule 6(1), (2), (3), (4) & (5) stipulate the necessary details/formal requirements which should be followed by a litigant while presenting their pleading. Even though, Syariah Court Civil Procedure [Federal Territories] Act 1997 indicate certain manner of drafting pleadings such as statement of claim but it is too general and not specifically illustrated.

Other than that, Syariah Court Civil Procedure [Federal Territories] Act 1997 not contains the form of the pleadings. Where under the Rules of The High Court 1980 Order 7 Rule (1), (2), (3) & (4) explain the forms of a claim or defence by parties in the proceedings and what should be included in the statement such as the statement should be the facts and not the evidence nor it should be brief.

However, both Rules of The High Court 1980 and Syariah Court Civil Procedure [Federal Territories] Act 1997 have the same opinion on the instruction of matters which must be specifically pleaded. It is accordance with Order 18 Rule 8. But no provision of matters which may plead at any time it is arising under Syariah Court Civil Procedure [Federal Territories] Act 1997.

Furthermore, Order 18 Rule 12 of the rules widely explain about the particulars of pleading which ought to be claimed. Order 18 of Rule 13 stipulate the admissions and denials of any allegation made by the parties in the proceedings whether by pleading or a joinder of issue.

Syariah Court Civil Procedure [Federal Territories] Act 1997 also quiet about the period of close of pleadings. But according to Order 18 Rule 14 the parties can denial by joinder of issue if the facts are not admitted whether impliedly or expressly.

Order 18 Rule 15 of the rules are pari materia with Section 63(1) of the Act which constituted the substance of a statement of claim. And Order 18 Rule 18 illustrate about the counterclaim on statement of claim and statement of defence by either parties to the proceedings.

Procedure of striking out of pleadings and indorsement to the pleading can be set out by relying on Order 18 Rule 19 in reason of no cause of action, no defence or malicious defence was framed and even if there is a reasonable cause of action but its scandalous, frivolous and vexatious or meaning to prejudice/embarrass the parties in proceedings and it may abuse the process of the Court. This Rule is equivalent with Section 80(1) of the act where court ought a discretionary power to order for strike out or amend the pleadings for any of the reason stated above before the judgment.

Whereas Order 18 Rule 20 stated the pleadings can be closed on the pleading last served are no documents to be filled after 14 days from the date of last document entered into and there is no reply entered.

Generally, parties are bound by their pleadings and are not allowed to adduce facts which they had not pleaded but however, Order 18 Rule 22 cited that an order can be gained for an action tried without pleading or further pleading if the defendant entered his appearance.

Finally, Order 19 of the rules clarify the position in default of pleadings. Where it can make a proceeding irregular or nullity. Even the writ can be without statement of claim but it must be endorse with the summary of claim. And the brief statement of claim must be served on defendant before expiration of 14 days after the defendant enters on appearance. The failure may amount defendant to apply dismissal action by summon in chambers towards the cause of action brought on him. However, bear in mind that plaintiff can apply for an extension order from court for serving statement of claim before expiration of the date. Unfortunately, Syariah Court Civil Procedure [Federal Territories] Act 1997 did silent of this part where no brief explanation was given to guide litigant in default of pleadings.

CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, Syariah Courts have become an integral part of the court system in Malaysia. In order for it to be accepted as such. It is necessary for the judges and officials of the Syariah Courts to show that they are as capable of dispensing justice as the civil courts. In the past, syariah court were treated as an inferior court and neglected in many ways. There were no doubt grounds to find excuses for the system of justice in the Syariah Courts. Now that they have became better organized, equipped and respected it will be possible for the Syariah Courts to show their worth and capabilities.

In order to make the public and especially the non-Muslims, Citizens in Malaysia less apprehensive and critical of their existence and work. It will be necessary for the Syariah Courts to show that they are capable of giving fair and equitable justice. It is not enough to speak about Islamic justice, it is necessary to demonstrate it by providing best and contemporary Civil Proceeding rules as to capable of dispensing fair and equitable justice to all.

What Article 121(1A) of Federal Constitution has done is to grant exclusive jurisdiction to the Syariah Courts in the administration of such Islamic laws. In other words Article 121(1A) is a provision to prevent conflicting jurisdiction between the civil courts and the Syariah Courts and so why not Islamic law statutes or legislation which region based amended and compiled together as to provided better settlement for the disputes arise in Islamic Civil matters such in discussion above in regard to pleading under Syariah Courts in Malaysia.