Day: January 19, 2023

KUALA LUMPUR– The most crucial precondition for Malaysia at the moment is political stability so as to move forward effectively, says the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah.

He said political stability will allow planners to focus more fully on the longer term and put into place the policies and measures that are necessary to build confidence among investors.

“Further strengthening of our institutions is thus another priority, as it is these which will ensure the effective implementation of the various policies that will propel us forward,” he said when launching the book “Malaysia’s Leap Into The Future: The Building Blocks Towards Balanced Development” at Asia-Europe Institute, Universiti Malaya, here today.

He said Malaysia has strong institutional foundations in many respects and needs to muster the political will to drive the nation’s institutions forward in a progressive way.

His Highness said the country must find alternative means to prosper, bringing in fresh approaches such as that of the circular, “doughnut”, or “mission” economy, to build economies that work for the planet as well as its inhabitants.

Sultan Nazrin said the nation’s developmental model must also be genuinely inclusive as the approach in areas from education and human capital development to poverty and inequality must entail the inclusion of all Malaysians, irrespective of ethnicity and religion.

“We are all equally part of Malaysia’s success – in the present and past – as we have built our shared prosperity together; and into the future, as we meet its complex challenges together,” he said.

Describing the book, Sultan Nazrin said its ultimate focus was on ways to promote the structural changes that are necessary in order to boost and sustain our economic growth, covering topics from the implications of our current population characteristics and projected demographic change to the financing of economic development.

“It considers the necessary transformations that must take place in the agricultural sector to strengthen our food security, and those that are required in the manufacturing and services sectors to ensure we keep up with technological and other changes,” he said.

The book’s editors are Universiti Malaya’s professors of economics Prof Dr Rajah Rasiah, the late Prof Dr Cheong Kee Cheok and Tan Sri Dr Kamal Salih.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR– The one-month operation dubbed Ops Terjah conducted from Dec 16, has succeeded in solving supply chain disruptions and helped to stabilise prices of basic necessities.

Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said throughout the nationwide operation 21,830 retail premises were inspected and enforcement officers were assigned at strategic locations where consumers shop for their daily necessities. .

“Through another operation, Ops Samar, plainclothes enforcement officers were deployed to observe the real situation on supply and prices of goods.

“This has allowed more effective enforcement and monitoring to be carried out and immediate action could be taken on consumer complaints about errant traders,” he said in a statement here today.

He said through Ops Terjah it was reported that there was shortage of grade A, B and C eggs in several states, but supplies were available again in less than three days compared to the situation during the school holidays and festive seasons.

On chicken supply, he said no retail premises were reported to have experienced supply disruptions compared to the first two weeks of Ops Terjah when reports were lodged by 93 premises.

Salahuddin said the ministry had also identified the suppliers of cooking oil and established continuous cooperation with cooking oil packaging companies to speed up delivery of supplies in dealing with supply shortage in the market.

“Supply of sugar and wheat flour was not a problem throughout the operation. However, the ministry assisted in speeding up the distribution of supplies from the factory level to the wholesalers,” he said.

He said in addition to educating, giving advice and warnings to ensure traders comply with the law, KPDN also held engagement sessions with the supply chain management and stakeholders to ensure smooth distribution.

Consumers with information on errant traders may channel the details to KPDN via WhatsApp at 019-2794317 or 019-8488000; portal e-aduan.kpdnhep.gov.my; call centre 1-800-886-800; email to e-aduan@kpdnhep.gov.my and Ez ADU KPDN mobile application.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR– The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a continuous rain warning in Johor and the east coast states of Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu until Jan 22.

In a statement issued at 2.30 pm today, it also warned that thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds are expected to occur in the interior and west of the peninsula, central and western Sarawak and Sabah in the afternoon and early evening during that period.

“Based on the analysis of weather models, the monsoon surge occurring in the country is expected to last until Jan 25 and this situation has the potential to produce continuous rain in the east of the peninsula during that period,” according to the statement.

Meanwhile, members of the public are advised to always refer to the department’s website at www.met.gov.my and social media as well as to download the myCuaca application for the latest and verified information.

In addition, a strong wind warning was also issued for shipping, with third-category level strong winds and rough seas forecast until Jan 25.

“Strong north-easterly winds exceeding 60 kilometres per hour (kph), with waves of over 4.5-metre high are forecast in the waters north of Condore.

“The strong winds and rough seas are dangerous to all coastal and shipping activities including workers on oil rigs,” the statement added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA– Former Education director-general Datuk Dr Amin Senin has been appointed chairman of the National Education Advisory Council (MPPK) for 2023-2025.

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said Amin’s vast experience in education, combined with the knowledge of other MPPK members would be invaluable in assisting the ministry to steer the country’s education sector by presenting ideas that can pave the way for reforms.

On Dec 15 last year, Fadhlina announced that the MPPK will be reactivated to contribute ideas and views to the Ministry of Education (MoE) in formulating and improving the direction of national education and continuity of the Malaysian Education Blueprint, which will end in 2025.

Fadhlina also appointed another eight committee members with experience, knowledge and expertise in education-related matters.

“Teachers’ workload is one of the issues that will be the main focus of the MPPK,” she told reporters after delivering her New Year mandate here today, adding that the council would then submit the best solutions to her for consideration.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUCHING– Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here this afternoon to begin his two-day maiden visit to Sarawak as the Prime Minister since being appointed to the post on Nov 24 last year.

The special aircraft carrying the Prime Minister and his entourage landed at the Kuching International Airport at 4.02 pm. Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his deputy Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas were there to greet him.

Anwar’s itinerary began with a closed-door meeting with Abang Johari at the Premier’s official residence in Petra Jaya before attending a state banquet at the Kuching Borneo Convention Centre tonight.

Tomorrow, Anwar is scheduled to attend the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council meeting with Abang Johari and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to join the congregants to perform Friday prayers at the Jamek Mosque before attending a people’s feast in conjunction with the Unity Government Tour Programme at Kubah Ria here.

Anwar will also pay a courtesy call on Sarawak Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud before returning to Kuala Lumpur.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency