Viewpoint: Accused persons should not plead guilty without obtaining legal advice from competent criminal lawyer

 By Voon Lee Shan 

Accused persons should never plead guilty without first obtaining proper legal advice from a competent and experienced criminal lawyer.

Senior lawyer Voon Lee Shan

There have been numerous instances where individuals, unrepresented by counsel, chose to plead guilty—often without fully understanding the consequences. One should never rely on advice or persuasion from law enforcement officers or any individual who is not a qualified lawyer when making such a critical decision. 

For law enforcement, their role effectively concludes once a guilty plea is entered, as it allows them to close their case files.

Regrettably, there are situations where accused persons plead guilty despite not having committed the offence, or they admit to more serious charges than warranted. This can result in disproportionately harsh sentences, including longer periods of imprisonment that might otherwise have been avoided with proper legal representation.

Sometimes, a person is charged for a crime he never committed but was charged because it happened he was seen at the crime scene at the time the crime was committed.

In a  case I witnessed a few days ago in court, a young mother with children pleaded guilty over a minor matter involving a few packets of mee and was sentenced to imprisonment.

 Although I was able to assist in mitigating her sentence, I was deeply troubled and lost sleep over the situation, as I was not her legal representative and was unable to intervene earlier in the proceedings.

This serves as a stark reminder of the importance of seeking qualified legal advice before making any plea in court.

NOTE: Voon Lee  Shan is a senior lawyer and president of Parti Bumi Kenyalang 

 

Water supply disruption issue a concern for residents of Sibujaya

SIBU, April 5 2026: The issue of the prolonged water supply disruption in Sibujaya continued to be a concern when local residents took the opportunity to voice their grievances during a goodwill visit by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culturei Tiong King Sing (picture) on Saturday.

The visit, in conjunction with the festive season, provided an opportunity for residents to share the difficulties they faced, illustrating the critical importance of solving infrastructure issues in the area.

 

“The water disruption has caused the people to live in hardship! Most residents are now forced to buy mineral water from supermarkets for cooking.

 

“Not only that, when the disruption continues, traders are also unable to do business as usual and their livelihoods continue to be affected.

 

“More outrageously, I have also received complaints that even though there is no water, the water meter is still running and charges are still being levied. There is no water but the meter is still moving, what is the logic behind this?” said Tiong in a statement today.

 

He, who is also the Dudong State Assemblyman, stressed that the frequency of the disruptions is now seen as a pressing issue that directly affects the well-being of the community throughout Sibujaya.

 

He explained that the matter had previously been raised in the State Legislative Assembly in November 2023 as an effort to find a solution.

 

Therefore, he hoped that the Sarawak Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunications (MUT) could detail an effective action plan to ensure that water supply stability could be achieved for the benefit of the residents in the long term.

 

“So far, I understand that the most affected group is the residents of low-cost houses and low-cost apartments.

 

“Their lives were already difficult; now the situation is getting worse, as if these people are being pushed into a corner with no way out,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, he also conveyed the hopes of the residents who wanted to see direct involvement from the ministry, including a proposed meeting with the Sarawak Minister of Utility and Telecommunications, Julaihi Narawi to personally review the actual situation on the ground.

 

“This problem has been going on for too long! It cannot be postponed any longer! And it absolutely should not be postponed.

 

“The people hope that the authorities can resolve this issue comprehensively and not let the people continue to live in worry and uncertainty, not knowing when water disruptions will occur again,” he said.

 

 

Comprehensive study needs to be conducted before granting third generation Chinese the Bumuputera status, former senator says

KUCHING, April 5 2026: A comprehensive study needs to be conducted before any proposal is agreed upon to grant Bumiputera status to the third generation Sarawakians of Chinese descent, former Senator Abun Sui Anyit (picture) has stressed.

He said at this stage, the proposal is premature  as well as for the Sarawak government to issue any official response.

“Several fundamental questions need to be addressed, such as who are the representatives of the Dayak and Malay communities who are said to be in agreement with the proposal and what form of study or consultation has been carried out?” he asked in a statement today when responding to Julau MP Larry Sng’s proposal.

Abun Sui, who is also PKR Hulu Rajang branch chief, also wanted to know who were the parties involved in the study, and what were the detailed findings.

“Issues affecting the status of Bumiputeras are not trivial matters, but are closely related to the Constitution, customary rights, history and sensitivities of the community in Sarawak.

“In this regard, any proposal must be supported by transparent data, credible research, and inclusive consultation, not merely general statements,” Abun Sui, who is a practising lawyer, said.

“Until clear and detailed information is presented, it is more appropriate that we refrain from making any premature conclusions or taking a position,” he stressed.

Recently, Larry, who is also Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president, has urged the state government to grant Bumiputera status to the third generation Sarawakians of Chinese descent.

He declared that if Raghad Kurdi, wife of former Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud, and her two childre, being Syrians, could be granted the Bumiutera status, despite being in Sarawak for a short period, there was no reason why the Chinese, who have lived in Sarawak for over 100 years, could not be accorded the Bumiputera status.

State rights activist Peter John Jaban warned against granting the indigenous status to the third generation Chinese, saying that it was not that easy to grant the status as it involved customs, history and the origins of the indigenous communities while PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stressed that granting the status must comply with the provisions of the Federal and State Constitutions.

 

 

Health Ministry aims to fill 15,000 vacancies for certified nurses this year

SIBU, April 4 2026: The Health Ministry (MoH) is targeting to fill 15,000 vacancies for certified nurses in the public hospital nation-wide this year to strengthen the national healthcare system, deputy minister Hanifah Hajar Taib (picture) has said.

 

She said the step is crucial to addressing the increasingly significant manpower shortage currently being faced.

She sad the demand is driven by the country's ageing population trend and the rise in chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions, which require long-term monitoring.

“We often hear that nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, and that statement is indeed true. Their role transcends clinical protocols; they become the link between a patient's sense of isolation and a sense of belonging,” she said while officiating the Diploma in Nursing Programme and Nursing Simulation Lab at Methodist Pilley Institute (MPI) on Saturday.

Hanifah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Mukah, further emphasised that the skills of nurses — rooted in empathy and high sensitivity — can transform a treatment environment into a more meaningful healing space.

During the ceremony, she praised MPI’s initiative in introducing the diploma programme, describing it as timely for meeting job market demands.

She welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MPI, Rejang Medical Centre, and Borneo Medical Centre, which offers full sponsorship and allowances to students.

She noted that such collaborations between educational institutions and the private sector are excellent examples of driving growth while fulfilling social responsibilities to strengthen the public health system.

The three-year Diploma in Nursing at MPI is now open for registration, with the first cohort intake beginning on 27 April 2026.

The programme is open to SPM leavers with at least credits in Bahasa Melayu, Mathematics (Basic/Modern/Additional), and Science (Science/Biology/Chemistry/Physics), alongside passes in English and one other additional subject.

AThe diploma is globally recognised and fully complies with guidelines accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Malaysian Nursing Board (MNB).

Also in attendance were Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew, MPI Board of Directors Chairman Paul Wong Hee Kwong, MPI Deputy Chairman Dr Peter Tang and Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference President Rev. Dr Lau Hui Ming.

Lebuk Melanau is set to become new landmark to strengthen heritage in Kuching

KUCHING, April 4 2026: The proposed  'Lebuk Melanau' or Melanau House, estimated to cost at least RM55 million, is set to become a new landmark to strengthen heritage and community unity in the state. 

Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Len Talif Salleh (picture)_ said the project, located at Wisma Melanau near the Islamic Information Centre (IIC), is expected to begin construction this year and is scheduled to be completed by 2027. 

 He said the project has received preliminary approval from the State Planning Authority (SPA) and is currently in the documentation preparation phase before the tender process is implemented.

"Lebuk Melanau will function as a community interaction centre and a location for various cultural and social activities involving the Melanau community and other races.

"However, the existing main building of Wisma Melanau will still be maintained to preserve the historical value and legacy of the previous leadership for the younger generation,” he said.

He said this when met by the media at the Aidilfitri 2026 Reception organised by the Sarawak Melanau Welfare Trust Board at the Royal Malaysian Customs Academy here today.

 Commenting on the development cost, he explained that the state government would fund part of the cost, but implementation needed to be expedited to avoid the implications of cost increases due to global economic factors.

More than 500 guests from various ethnic backgrounds, thus reflecting the continued spirit of goodwill and harmony among the people of Sarawak.-