Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LL.B Hons.) - Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA): September 2015

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

#sayazahra tells all

Published by: The New Straits Times (Malaysia), on July 26, 2015

GRADUATE'S PLIGHT: Last month, Siti Azzahra Abdul Razly's speech in front of Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin became a sensation on the Internet, reaching eight million people and engaging 1.5 million Malaysians. The law graduate from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin impressed many with her articulate narrative of the trials and tribulations of a young person trying to make ends meet amid the increased cost of living. Yet, others scorned her, saying she is a poster child for a privileged generation with a sense of entitlement. Marginalised or spoilt? Arman Ahmad listens to the #sayazahra story

Question: Ever since the Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) uploaded the speech on its website, you have been praised as well as scorned by the online public. How has this fame affected you?
Answer: I thank everyone who has given comments to the campaign. I received many messages in Facebook and Twitter. I never thought it would go viral. I was shocked. However, not everything was positive. Some people were negative. They attacked my family, saying my parents did not raise me well, and that I was manja or spoilt. I was upset but it's their perspective. But I'm okay now. I am living my life normally.

Question: Have there been many people showing support for your cause?
Answer: A lot. My friends and family are giving their full support. My Facebook is full of positive messages, urging me to keep on going. On Twitter, many are saying thank you for raising the issue up because they feel the same way as I do.

Question: Have people come out to criticise you?
Answer: There are those who criticise as well. Some of them had struggled and found a way out, and became successful. I see them as an inspiration. I thank them for being an inspiration. But there are those who raise petty issues, and these I choose to ignore. Generally, those who are well off are the ones who criticise me and those who are struggling like me are the ones offering support. But that is not always the case. Sometimes, those who are well off support me as well.

Question: What prompted you to take on this issue?
Answer: I have been a researcher for MTEM for a year. Each year, we have a Malay economic session. Last year, we presented our social economy report on Bumiputeras and the findings were interesting. The data can be mined to develop the country. However, the reception to last year's report was not that hot. This year, we introduced #sayazahra, about my struggles, and our data correlate. Why I cannot buy a house or have enough savings, the reasons are in our data. When we had a chance to talk in front of the deputy prime minister, we thought, why don't we tell a story? The story that I told in front of the deputy prime minister is not something I made up. It's not scripted. It is real. We wanted to use the platform to create an awareness. It was a move by MTEM and Zahra. This report has been published before, but there was not much response. We used the #sayazahra story as a narrative to relate the data in our report with my life and other youth's lives. That was why #sayazahra came into the picture.

Question: As a graduate, what were your expectations of the standard of living that you should achieve upon graduation?
Answer: I expected that I could afford to rent a house at an affordable price. That with my salary, I could travel around in something that I could afford. What I wanted was enough salary for a place to stay, transportation, food and savings. I cannot save with what I am making, which is just enough for basic expenses. Those were my expectations when I graduated.

Question: Some have said that you are complaining or whining, and that Generation Y is associated with this. What is your response?
Answer: I got a lot of comments like that. Some people might see it as me whining in front of the DPM. If people watch the video and listen to the speech, there are so many underlying messages. Instead of focusing on my life, they should focus on the macro issues. It is about policies. We are trying to address the government's policies. If the policies are better, then our economy will be better. Those who say I am complaining and whining, they are missing the point. It was such a huge platform for me to speak. Why would I whine at such an event? I could whine somewhere else.

Question: Others have said that you should take on another job or venture into business to get more income. What do you say to this?
Answer: I thought about doing business before. However, I want to focus on my passion to become a lawyer. Everyone has his passion, and mine is to become a lawyer. I graduated from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin. We are accredited with condition. To practise, we have to take the Certificate in Legal Practice examination. It will cost me about RM15,000 to take the exam and classes. I cannot make any savings now. How can I save money for the exam?

Question: Some have questioned the fact that you graduated at 23. Can you respond to that?
Answer: I don't see any issue with graduating at 23. Foundation was a year and degree was four. I did my foundation right after Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia.

Question: Others have said that you might not have graduated with good grades, or not from a reputable university. Otherwise, you would have got a better job. What do you say to that?
Answer: I graduated in May last year and got the best student award for my faculty.

Question: You said you would take the light rail transit (LRT) to work only at the end of the month when your funds run dry. Are you discouraging people from using public transport? Wouldn't using public transport alleviate congestion in the city, as well as solve other problems more efficiently? What is wrong with taking the LRT?
Answer: There is nothing wrong with the LRT. I have no problems taking public transport. However, I'm staying too far from train and bus stops. There are buses, but I have to walk 3km to take a bus. This is a challenge for a girl that has been sexually harassed. I am traumatised.

Question: You said it would take five to seven years for you to save for the deposit for a home. The average home owner in a developed country like the United States is 31.
Answer: I will be about 31 then. But the question is if the price of the house is RM400,000 and my salary is this much, how can one ensure that when my salary increases in five to six years that the price of the house will stay the same? It will not. It will keep increasing. In 10 years, people will say the same thing to me. Wait for another five to six years, then you can buy a house. But until when do I have to wait? There is an imbalance between house availability and affordability. Based on our report, it will be impossible for a Gen-Y person to own a home.

Question: You said your life was kais pagi makan pagi (barely making ends meet). How much do you think a graduate should earn to live comfortably today?
Answer: Today's basic salary is RM1,800. In the 1990s, it was also RM1,800. With the cost of living going up, why should the basic salary stay the same? I think it is not balanced. I will need RM2,500 to survive and have savings.

Question: You rent a room for RM500 a month, but eight people are crammed into the house. Is the house rental RM4,000 per month?
Answer: People got this wrong. One room is RM500. To reduce the rental shouldered by one person, eight people crammed into the house. There are three rooms.

Question: What is your job and how much do you earn?
Answer: I earn between RM1,800 and RM2,000 a month as a researcher at MTEM.

Question: You said something needed to be done. Who do you think should do what?
Answer: This message is aimed at policymakers. They need to open their eyes and be more serious in tackling the issues that we raised. We need better government policies. We need to address the Gen-Y financial issue. These are the messages that we want to send to policymakers. We have suggestions from our think tank that we will reveal soon. The video went viral and reached 8 million people. We engaged 1.5 million Malaysians. We want to create awareness and make a difference.

Question: As a young person, what do you want to see the government do to improve your situation?
Answer: Reduce the cost of living and the price of houses.

Question: But how can they reduce the house prices? It is a free market, right?
Answer: They are the policymakers, so they should think about it. I am bringing the voice of the people. They need to think.

Ijazah Undang-Undang UNISZA diiktiraf

Published by: ASTRO Awani, on July 14, 2015

Universiti Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (UNISZA) menafikan tanggapan bahawa program pengajian undang-undangnya tidak diiktiraf. Unisza menegaskan isu itu tidak timbul kerana Program Ijazah Sarjana Muda Undang Undang UNISZA dengan kepujian sudah diluluskan oleh Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi sejak 2006.

SOURCE: http://www.astroawani.com/video-malaysia/ijazah-undang-undang-unisza-diiktiraf-61942

YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLqV3Yk7Cpw

UniSZA refutes claim that its LLB is not recognised

Published by: the Rakyat Post, on Jul 13, 2015

Universiti Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) today refuted the claim that its Bachelor Degree in Law (LLB UniSZA) programme is not recognised by the government.

Its deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International), Prof Dr Mahadzirah Mohamad, said the UniSZA’s LLB programme had in fact received the approval from the Education Ministry’s Higher Education Department on March 10, 2006.

“This programme had also been recognised by the Public Service Department on July 21, 2009 and received full accreditation from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) on July 26, 2010.

“Based on the recognition, UniSZA LLB is on a par with other degrees and graduates can hold positions in both public and private sectors, except for the post of an advocate and solicitor,” she told a press conference here today.

Mahadzirah said the UniSZA LLB programme had also received temporary recognition from the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LKPU) on Nov 7, 2013.

The UniSZA’s LLB programme has been linked to the video of a law graduate, known only as Zahra, telling an audience at a recent Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) event of her struggles to survive in Kuala Lumpur due to the high cost of living.

That session was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The video has gone viral on social media.

SOURCE: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/07/13/unisza-refutes-claim-llb-not-recognised/

UniSZA Nafi Program Pengajian Undang-undangnya Tidak Diiktiraf

Published by: Bernama, on July 13, 2015

KUALA TERENGGANU, 13 Julai (Bernama) -- Universiti Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) menafikan dakwaan sesetengah pihak menyebarkan berita palsu kononnya Program Ijazah Sarjana Muda Undang-Undang dengan Kepujian UniSZA (LLB UniSZA) tidak diiktiraf dan tidak mendapat kelulusan.

Timbalan Naib Canselor Akademik dan Antarabangsa UniSZA, Prof Dr Mahadzirah Mohamad berkata, isu berkenaan tidak seharusnya timbul dan tidak tepat memandangkan program LLB UniSZA telah mendapat kelulusan daripada Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) pada 10 Mac 2006.

"Program ini juga telah diiktiraf oleh Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) pada 21 Julai 2009 dan mendapat akreditasi penuh daripada Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia (MQA) pada 26 Julai 2010.

"Berdasarkan pengiktirafan tersebut, graduan LLB UniSZA adalah setaraf dengan graduan lulusan ijazah lain dan boleh menjawat jawatan di sektor awam serta swasta kecuali jawatan sebagai peguambela dan peguamcara," katanya pada sidang media di sini Isnin.

Mahadzirah berkata, program LLB UniSZA telah mendapat pengiktirafan sementara daripada Lembaga Kelayakan Profesion Undang-undang (LKPU) pada 7 November 2013.

"Pengiktirafan sementara ini membolehkan graduan LLB UniSZA menjawat jawatan sebagai peguamcara dan peguambela setelah lulus Peperiksaan Sijil Amalan Guaman (PSAG) yang dikendalikan oleh LKPU dan tamat menjalani latihan dalam kamar selama 9 bulan di bawah Akta Profesion Undang-undang 1976.

"UniSZA menyediakan program bimbingan secara percuma kepada graduan LLB UniSZA yang berminat untuk menduduki PSAG dan kita juga turut membayar yuran PSAG bagi graduan yang menduduki peperiksaan tersebut dan inisiatif ini merupakan langkah untuk membantu graduan sementara program LLB UniSZA mendapat pengiktirafan penuh daripada LKPU.

"Sejak mendapat pengiktirafan sementara daripada LKPU sehingga sekarang, pengurusan tertinggi universiti tidak pernah berhenti berusaha untuk mendapatkan pengiktirafan penuh daripada LKPU, malah LKPU telah mempercepatkan jadual penilaian semula program LLB UniSZA dari bulan November 2015 kepada bulan April 2015, iaitu tujuh (7) bulan lebih awal dari tarikh yang telah dijadualkan," katanya.

Mahadzirah berkata, LKPU telah menjalankan penilaian semula program LLB UniSZA pada 14-16 April 2015 dan kini, UniSZA dalam proses menunggu keputusan penilaian berkenaan daripada LKPU.

"Saya tegaskan di sini, berita yang kini menjadi viral di laman sosial dan aplikasi Whatsapp mengenai program LLB UniSZA tidak diiktiraf adalah tidak benar malah kesemua 58 program di universiti ini mendapat akreditasi," katanya.

SOURCE: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/state_news/bm/news.php?cat=tm&id=1152524

ALSO CITED AT: Berita RTM

UniSZA nafi lulusan LLB tidak diiktiraf

Published by: Utusan Malaysia, on 14 July 2015

KUALA TERENGGANU 13 Julai – Program Ijazah Sarjana Muda Undang-Undang (LLB) dengan Kepujian yang ditawarkan Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (Unisza) telah mendapat kelulusan Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi, Kementerian Pendidikan pada 10 Mac 2006.

Timbalan Naib Canselor (Akademik dan Antarabangsa) Unisza, Prof. Dr. Mahadzirah Mohamad berkata, program itu juga diiktiraf Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) pada 21 Julai 2009 di samping mendapat akreditasi penuh daripada Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia (MQA) pada 26 Julai 2010.

“Berdasarkan pengiktirafan itu, LLB Unisza adalah setaraf dengan lulusan ijazah lain dan boleh menjawat jawatan di sektor awam dan swasta kecuali jawatan sebagai peguam bela dan peguamcara.

“Bagi maksud menjadi peguambela dan peguamcara, program LLB Unisza telah mendapat pengiktirafan sementara daripada Lembaga Kelayakan Profesion Undang-Undang (LKPU) pada 7 November 2013.

“Pengiktirafan sementara ini membolehkan lepasan LLB Unisza menjawat jawatan sebagai peguamcara dan peguam bela setelah lulus Peperiksaan Sijil Amalan Guaman (PSAG) yang dikendalikan oleh LKPU dan tamat menjalani latihan dalam kamar selama sembilan bulan di bawah Akta Profesion Undang-Undang 1976,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Kenyataan itu dibuat susulan penyebaran klip video keluhan seorang gadis bernama Zahra mengenai kesukaran hidup anak Melayu bandar yang dibuat di hadapan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dalam majlis anjuran Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Melayu (MTEB) baru-baru ini.

Video gadis berusia 23 tahun itu mula menjadi viral di laman media sosial sejak beberapa hari lalu berikutan dakwaannya seolah-olah menggambarkan kegagalan pihak berkuasa menjanjikan kesenangan kepada lepasan universiti.

Zahra dikatakan lulusan undang-undang Unisza pada 2014 namun dalam video tersebut gadis itu mendedahkan untuk menjadi seorang peguam dia masih perlu menduduki satu peperiksaan dan melibatkan kos yang tinggi sekali gus menimbulkan dakwaan lulusan LLB universiti itu tidak diiktiraf.

Sementara itu, Mahadzirah berkata, Unisza menyediakan program bimbingan secara percuma kepada lulusan LLB yang berminat untuk menduduki PSAG, malah akan membayar yuran PSAG bagi menduduki peperiksaan tersebut.

Inisiatif itu, katanya, merupakan langkah ke arah membantu pelajar sementara program LLB berkenaan mendapat pengiktirafan penuh daripada LKPU.

“Sejak mendapat pengiktirafan sementara daripada LKPU sehingga sekarang, pengurusan tertinggi Unisza tidak pernah berhenti berusaha mendapatkan pengiktirafan penuh daripada LKPU bagi membolehkan lepasan Unisza menjadi peguam tanpa perlu lulus PSAG.

“Berkat daripada usaha berterusan itu, LKPU mempercepatkan jadual penilaian semula program LLB dari bulan November 2015 kepada bulan April 2015, iaitu tujuh bulan lebih awal dari tarikh yang dijadualkan. LKPU telah menjalankan penilaian semula program LLB Unisza pada 14-16 April 2015 lalu,” katanya.

Menurut Mahadzirah, kini, Unisza dalam proses menunggu keputusan penilaian tersebut daripada LKPU bahkan, pihak pengurusan universiti juga telah mengadakan perjumpaan dengan menteri berkenaan untuk memaklumkan tentang perkara tersebut.

“Oleh yang demikian, perlu ditegaskan di sini bahawa apa yang diperkatakan tentang program LLB Unisza tidak diiktiraf adalah tidak benar sama sekali,” tegasnya.

SOURCE: http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/nasional/unisza-nafi-lulusan-llb-tidak-diiktiraf-1.113802

RESPONSE to "UniSZA LL.B Hons. Controversy [#sayazahra]"

#sayaZAHRA #sayasayangkanMALAYSIA

MAKLUM BALAS TERHADAP ISU “Lulusan UniSZA tidak diiktiraf?”

Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) ingin menegaskan di sini bahawa isu pengiktirafan tidak timbul kerana program Ijazah Sarjana Muda Undang-undang dengan Kepujian UniSZA (LLB UniSZA) telah diluluskan oleh Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (KPM) pada 10 Mac 2006. Program ini telah diiktiraf oleh Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) pada 21 Julai 2009 dan mendapat akreditasi penuh daripada Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia (MQA) pada 26 Julai 2010. Berdasarkan pengiktirafan tersebut, graduan LLB UniSZA adalah setaraf dengan graduan lulusan ijazah lain dan boleh menjawat jawatan di sektor awam dan swasta kecuali jawatan sebagai peguambela dan peguamcara (advocate & solicitor).

Bagi maksud menjadi peguambela dan peguamcara, Program LLB UniSZA telah mendapat PENGIKTIRAFAN SEMENTARA daripada Lembaga Kelayakan Profesion Undang-undang (LKPU) pada 7 November 2013. Pengiktirafan sementara ini membolehkan graduan LLB UniSZA menjawat jawatan sebagai peguamcara dan peguambela setelah lulus Peperiksaan Sijil Amalan Guaman (PSAG) yang dikendalikan oleh LKPU dan tamat menjalani latihan dalam kamar (chambering) selama 9 bulan di bawah Akta Profesion Undang-undang 1976. UniSZA menyediakan program bimbingan secara percuma kepada graduan LLB UniSZA yang berminat untuk menduduki PSAG. Malah, UniSZA juga akan membayar yuran PSAG bagi graduan UniSZA untuk menduduki peperiksaan tersebut. Inisiatif ini merupakan langkah untuk membantu graduan sementara program LLB UniSZA mendapat pengiktirafan penuh daripada LKPU.

Sejak mendapat pengiktirafan sementara daripada LKPU sehingga sekarang, pengurusan tertinggi UniSZA tidak pernah berhenti berusaha untuk mendapatkan pengiktirafan penuh daripada LKPU. Pelbagai tindakan telah diambil untuk memenuhi keperluan LKPU bagi membolehkan graduan UniSZA menjadi “orang berkelayakan” tanpa perlu lulus PSAG. Malah berkat dari usaha yang berterusan ini, LKPU telah mempercepatkan jadual penilaian semula program LLB UniSZA dari bulan November 2015 kepada bulan April 2015, iaitu tujuh (7) bulan lebih awal dari tarikh yang telah dijadualkan. LKPU telah menjalankan penilaian semula program LLB UniSZA pada 14-16 April 2015 yang lalu. Kini, UniSZA dalam proses menunggu keputusan penilaian tersebut daripada LKPU. Pihak pengurusan Universiti juga telah mengadakan perjumpaan dengan Menteri Pendidikan II dan Menteri Di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM) untuk memaklumkan perkara ini.

Oleh yang demikian, perlu ditegaskan di sini bahawa apa yang diperkatakan tentang program LLB UniSZA tidak diiktiraf adalah TIDAK BENAR SAMA SEKALI.

Profesor Dr. Mahadzirah binti Mohamad

Timbalan Naib Canselor (Akademik dan Antarabangsa)

Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA)

SOURCE: Here

UniSZA LL.B Hons. Controversy [#sayazahra] (5)

#sayaZAHRA #sayasayangkanMALAYSIA

Statement by Dato' Prof. Dr. Rujhan Mustafa, the CEO of Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)

Agensi Kelayakan Malaysia (MQA) maklum bahawa Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) memahami perkara ini, telah dan sedang berusaha mendapatkan pengiktirafannya.

Tugas rasmi MQA ialah untuk membuat penilaian dan memberikan kelulusan akreditasi sebagaimana yang di peruntukan di dalam akta MQA 2007. Walau bagaimanapun, MQA mesti menerima perakuan terlebih dahulu daripada Lembaga Kelayakan Profesion Perundangan Malaysia atau Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) sebagai badan profesional bidang perundangan di Malaysia.

Pengiktirafan untuk mengamal ini adalah di bawah bidang kuasa LPQB. Di dalam mesyuarat Jawatankuasa (JK) Pengiktirafan LPQB, MQA akan dijemput untuk memberi pandangan dari aspek jaminan kualiti akademik. Keputusan akhir dibuat oleh LPQB dan MQA akan menerima pakai keputusan badan profesional ini.

Dengan kata lain, MQA hanya membuat penilaian dan memberi kelulusan akreditasi. LPQB boleh menjadikan akreditasi MQA sebagai rujukan dan tidak semestinya akreditasi MQA ini membawa kepada pengiktirafan oleh LPQB. Universiti awam tidak terkecuali daripada peraturan ini. Ianya terpakai untuk semua pemberi pendidikan tinggi seperti insitusi pendidikan tinggi samada awam ataupun swasta.

Untuk makluman, secara kronologinya, LPQB telah membuat penilaian pengiktirafan ke atas program Undang-undang UniSZA pertama kali pada 2013, namun Certificate Legal Practice (CLP) Exam Paper yang disediakan oleh UniSZA didapati tidak memenuhi standard yang ditetapkan oleh LPQB. Susulan itu, beberapa tindakan penambahbaikan telah dibuat oleh pihak UniSZA.

Lawatan penilaian susulan LPQB telah diadakan pada 6-8 April 2015 lalu untuk tujuan pengiktirafan ini. Pihak LPQB berhasrat utk membuat pengiktirafan kepada program Undang-undang ini berdasarkan CLP Exam Papers yang dilaksanakan oleh UniSZA.

Seterusnya, JK Pengiktirafan LPQB telah mengadakan perbincangan awal tentang laporan penilaian tersebut pada 12 Jun 2015 lalu dan menyediakan syor untuk dibawa dan diputuskan oleh Legal Profession Qualifying Board, Malaysia.

MQA akan terus membantu agar program Ijazah Sarjana Muda Undang-Undang di UniSZA ini mendapat pengiktirafan dari LPQB. Dalam masa yg sama UniSZA mesti saling bekerjasama dgn LPQB supaya isu ini dapat diselesaikan seberapa cepat yang mungkin.

Dato' Prof Dr Rujhan Mustafa

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MQA

12 Julai 2015.

SOURCE: Here