Shalwati can appeal to PSC, says former union leader

KUALA LUMPUR: Shalwati Norshal, who has been sentenced to 14 months jail in Sweden for gross violation of the integrity of her children, can appeal to the Public Service Commission to keep her job in Malaysia.

Former National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam said there was a provision in the General Orders for that.

“She has every right to make an appeal.

“We cannot deny her what is enshrined in the General Orders; it is up to the disciplinary board of the commission to review the merits of her appeal,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Under the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) (Chapter D) General Orders 1980, a teacher, as a civil servant, can be subject to punishment – such as demotion or dismissal if found guilty of a criminal charge by the court of law – depending on the severity of the wrongdoing.

Shalwati is understood to have been on unpaid leave the past seven years as she followed her husband Azizul Raheem Awalluddin’s postings to South Africa and Sweden.

Azizul, who was serving as Tourism Malaysia director when he was arrested, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for the gross violation of the integrity of his eldest son and the assault of his daughter and second oldest son.

NUTP secretary-general Lok Yim Pheng said the children would need plenty of counselling to cope with the long-term repercussions of what had happened.

“This is a family matter, and I believe the psychological effects will remain with the children and parents for some time,” she said when contacted yesterday.

Lok, who felt that the sentences against the couple were “too heavy”, said teachers at the school where the children were studying in Kota Baru would need to monitor and guide them in dealing with the verdict.

“As a teacher, I feel the parents were only trying to instill education and life’s lessons in their own way but chose to do it in a different environment which resulted in this decision; I cannot help but feel sorry for the family.”

Asked whether Shalwati would face disciplinary action following her conviction, Lok said the matter had not been discussed yet.