{
  "id": 13645223,
  "title": "UTM professor wins bid to quash dismissal, but no reinstatement yet",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/utm-professor-wins-bid-to-quash-dismissal-but-no-reinstatement-yet",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T04:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/11/utm-professor-wins-bid-to-quash-dismissal-but-no-reinstatement-yet"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a significant ruling, the Johor Bahru High Court has ordered Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to reevaluate the dismissal of associate professor B Malarvili. The court found that the disciplinary process had denied her a fair opportunity to defend herself, setting aside the decision made by the disciplinary committee in November 2024. The judge, Budiman Lutfi Mohamed, emphasized that the right to be heard must be a genuine right, not merely a formality. While the ruling does not officially exonerate Malarvili of the charges, it mandates UTM to conduct a fresh review of the case, disclose relevant evidence, allow Malarvili to submit additional arguments, and consider further investigations. The charges against her included the use of a scanned signature, unauthorized overseas travel, irregular attendance records, connections to the UNISERF programme, and alleged involvement in outside business activities. Despite this, the court did not order Malarvili's reinstatement or compensation for salary arrears or damages. Malarvili, who had worked at UTM's Skudai campus for approximately 21 years, faced these allegations. UTM, along with the two disciplinary committees, was ordered to pay Malarvili RM15,000 in costs.",
  "summary": "The High Court in Johor Bahru sets aside the disciplinary committee’s decision and orders a fresh review of the eight charges against B Malarvili.",
  "key_points": [
    "Johor Bahru High Court orders UTM to reconsider dismissal of associate professor B Malarvili",
    "Court finds disciplinary process denied Malarvili fair opportunity to defend herself"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The court ruling forces UTM to revisit its dismissal process, mandating a fresh review and fair hearing for Malarvili, but does not immediately clear her name or result in her reinstatement.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "UTM professor wins bid to quash dismissal, but no reinstatement yet",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/utm-professor-wins-bid-to-quash-dismissal-but-no-reinstatement-yet-13647635",
        "published": "2026-10-11T04:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}