Bruno is a senior science teacher in Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Indah (SKTI) (fictitious). He is the husband of Arianna, a senior clerk in Sekolah Kebangsaan Maluri (SKM)(fictitious). They are blessed with two children, Mars and Maraz. Both Mars and Maraz are students of SKTI.

On 25^th November 2019, Aliff Shukri, a security guard inSKTI, caught Bruno having sexual intercourse with his colleague, Cardi in her office after 5 pm. Arianna and the children were furious when they were informed of this incident. Bruno was told to take four weeks leave pending investigations. Feeling dejected and suicidal, Bruno decided to leave Arianna and the children and headed home to his hometown in Kangar, Perlis.

Encik Azwan Ali, the headmaster ofSKTI, established a Board of Inquiry to conduct an investigation on the incident. Upon receiving the report from the Board, Encik Azwan Ali, initiated disciplinary proceedings against Bruno.

During his investigations, Encik Azwan Ali discovered that Bruno had been falsifying invoices for the purchase of some audio-visual equipment for the school. Bruno had billed the suppliers with a higher sum of money than the actual value of the items. The difference in sum had been pocketed by Bruno into his personal bank account. Encik Azwan Ali also learnt that Bruno had tried to use his position as a senior science teacher to help DeHerba Sdn Bhd, who are suppliers of laboratory equipment to be awarded supply contracts of chemicals and test tubes to SKTI.

On 2^nd December 2019, Bruno received an email from Encik Azwan Ali to appear before the Disciplinary Committee on 5^th December 2019 in Kuala Lumpur. The notice stated that Bruno had to present evidence to defend himself against the following allegations:

i.Bruno had committed a disciplinary offence which violated the code of conduct for all teachers and by his conduct, he had brought disrepute to SKTI;

ii.Bruno was dishonest and had allowed his private interests to come into conflict with his duties as a senior teacher; and

iii.Bruno had used his position as a senior teacher for his personal advantage.

Upon receiving the email, Bruno contacted Encik Azwan Ali requesting that the proceedings be postponed as he had to travel from Kangar to Kuala Lumpur and required more time to prepare his defence. Encik Azwan Ali flatly refused to entertain Bruno's request and demanded that Bruno appear before the Disciplinary Committee at 8 a.m. on 5^th December 2019.

Bruno managed to make it to the proceedings on time, but he requested for the following to be considered. Firstly, that he be granted a postponement of the proceedings so that he may be able to better prepare for his case and secondly, so that he may appoint a lawyer to represent him during the course of the proceedings. Bruno also requested that a copy of the report by the Board of Inquiry be given to him.

The Disciplinary Committee did not agree to any of Bruno's requests and went ahead with the proceedings. During the proceedings, the panel raised two additional charges against Bruno. One of the charges was that Bruno had been working as a part time singer at a club in Bangsar without informing Encik Azwan Ali or the senior management of SKTI. The other charge against Bruno was that he had allowed Arianna, Mars and Maraz to receive gifts from DHerba Sdn Bhd on their respective birthdays.

Bruno was shocked by these two new allegations and requested that he be given a copy of the report and documents on which these allegations were based upon. In desperation, Bruno requested to cross-examine Aliff Shukri and to have a copy of the CCTV recording of the alleged sexual encounter between him and Cardi. The Disciplinary Committee did not accede to any of his requests.

On 20^th December 2019, Bruno received a copy of the decision by the Disciplinary Committee dated 7^th December 2019 informing him that the Committee found him guilty of all the charges and that he was suspended from work for six months. Additionally, Bruno's salary was deducted for three months and he was also reduced in rank from his current grade of DG52 to DG45. No written reasons were given by the Disciplinary Committee for this decision.

Bruno was furious with the decision and wants to challenge it. Moreover, he was deeply bitter by the fact that Shawn, one of the panel members of the Disciplinary Committee, is Arianna's cousin who has had a longstanding animosity and personal vengeance against him.

Bruno seeks your advice on the possible actions that he may take to challenge this decision.