Ministers hit out at US academic’s safety claim

 

Zambry Abdul Kadir (left) and Khaled Nordin took US political science professor Bruce Gilley to task for saying that Malaysia ‘is not a safe country to travel to now’.

PETALING JAYA: Two ministers have hit out at a US academic after he claimed that it was no longer safe to travel to the country.

Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, who had earlier ordered for all of political science professor Bruce Gilley’s programmes to be immediately cancelled, said it was time to rethink his stance.

“Basking in the heavenly bliss of Malaysia, untouched by unrest, threats, or bigotry. Yet, now questioning its safety?” Zambry said on X.

“Perhaps a rethink on your judgment is overdue.”

Zambry was likely referring to Gilley’s earlier posts on the micro-blogging platform where he shared pictures of his visit to the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park and a train ride.

Meanwhile, defence minister Khaled Nordin said in a text to FMT: “If it’s not safe then why did he come?”

Gilley had said this morning he had left Malaysia because of safety concerns caused by an “Islamo-fascist mob whipped up by the government there”.

“This is not a safe country to travel to now,” he said in a post on X.

A US travel advisory for Malaysia, which remains at level 1 – the lowest out of four – disproved his claim.

Gilley had stirred controversy yesterday after purportedly claiming that Malaysia was pushing for a “second Holocaust against the Jewish people” during a talk at Universiti Malaya. - FMT

Is EPF Account 3 a sustainable solution to alleviate the rakyat’s burden?

 

DESPITE the pandemic easing and Malaysians returning to their regular routines, many are grappling with the lingering effects of inflation.

The prices of essential items, particularly food and daily necessities, continue to soar, causing financial strain for many Malaysians.

Even with a substantial 35% increase in salary over the past year, some of my acquaintances still find it challenging to keep up with the escalating costs.

Presently, the average expense for a meal ranges from RM12 to RM15, while popular beverages like Milo, teh tarik, or soft drinks cost between RM3 to RM4.

When we calculate the daily and monthly expenses for food and drinks (three meals a day), it amounts to RM57 per day and approximately RM1,710 per month (based on a 30-day period).

Moreover, when factoring in other financial commitments such as car and housing loan instalments (averaging at RM1,000 and RM2,000 per month, respectively), the total monthly expenditure could easily surpass RM4,700.

EMIR Research recently stated in an article titled “Addressing the escalating crisis of youth violence in Malaysia” that 47% of 25 to 34 years old Malaysians were underemployed in 2022.

This indicates that despite these group of young Malaysians have completed bachelor or postgraduate degree, they had to take low-paying jobs for survival.

Another think tank, Khazanah Research Institute indicated in its recent report that in 2021, 65% of graduates started under RM2,000, with only 10% earning above RM3,000.

This means that the amount of salary received during 1990s (i.e., RM1,800 per month) is still relatively similar to the 21st century (i.e., RM2,300, which only increased by 27.8%).

No doubt that the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Account 3 offers an option for some Malaysians struggling to make ends meet to withdraw funds for emergency use. But still, will that be a viable solution in the long term?

From May 11 until August 31, EPF members could choose to transfer funds from Account 2 to Account 3.

The EPF contributions will be separated into three accounts: 75% going into Account 1 (Akaun Persaraan); 15% into Account 2 (Akaun Sejahtera) and 10% into Account 3 (Akaun Fleksibel).

For those with more than RM3,000 in their Account 2, a third of their balance savings (i.e., RM1,000) will be transferred to the Account 3 while one-sixth (i.e., RM500) will be transferred to Account 1. The remaining balance (i.e., RM1,500) will be retained in Account 2.

While the current unity government acknowledges the need to address the cost of living crisis, concerns linger about the effectiveness of such measures in improving living standards.

Rather than relying solely on EPF withdrawals, alternative solutions like a productivity-linked wage system could offer sustainable relief by providing higher-paying jobs for ordinary Malaysians.

The adoption of such measures could prevent individuals from resorting to multiple jobs to cope with rising expenses. I’ve heard numerous stories of Malaysians juggling four to five jobs, including one full-time position, just to make ends meet for themselves and their families.

In addition to implementing a productivity-linked wage system, the current unity government must also explore strategies to boost local food production.

Malaysia’s heavy reliance on imported food supplies has contributed to soaring food prices. By restructuring the existing wage structure and placing greater emphasis on local agricultural production, the Malaysian government could gradually assist more Malaysians in alleviating their financial burden.

 

Amanda Yeo is a Senior Fellow at Pacific Research Centre.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia

“Thailand’s Kra Canal could boost economic development in Malaysia’s northern regions”

 

THE proposed land bridge spanning Thailand’s Isthmus of Kra will end up as a white elephant due to its total irrelevance and unsuitability as an alternative to the centuries-old dream of a canal traversing the Isthmus of Kra.

Thailand where the term’ white elephant’ originated is now busy trying to create a new one under the present shortsighted government.

No matter how one looks at it a canal, not a land bridge, is the best solution in terms of costs, efficiency, convenience and profitability apart from a host of other socio-economic factors.

The reason why there is hardly any or only a lukewarm response to the land bridge project is that investors realise the folly of this white elephant project.

Other than the huge cost involved for the land bridge, equivalent to dredging the canal, it is not going to be economically sustainable, and no shipping company would want to incur additional costs by unloading their merchandise on one side, having it transported by land and having them loaded again on the other side.

This is the main reason why a normally enthusiastic and  ambitious China is avoiding it like a hot potato. The Kra Canal was supposed to be part of the Chinese brainchild, the BRI.

One cannot understand why the Thai government is considering the land bridge option when it can take the sensible and easy way out by opting for a canal. One should now consider the benefits the canal will bring. 

Moreover, it looks like the present Thai administration is being goaded by vested interests to favour the land bridge despite its economic unviability. 

The Thai people will be burdened by the loss-making landbridge in the future. The cost of the landbridge is estimated at around US$28 bil whereas the Kra canal was estimated to cost 20 billion dollars when the initial proposal was made by China.

China prefers the canal instead of the land bridge and it is only logical to do so. There is also no need for the expensive lock system of the Panama Canal and thus it will be cheaper to operate and maintain. The canal will obviously shorten the route by 1200 nautical miles for trade among the South Asian, East Asian and the Asean countries not to mention for other nations in the Indo-Pacific.

Much pressure could be relieved on the Straits of Malacca, which is now facing risks like congestion, maritime accidents, pollution and sometimes piracy. The Straits could become a point to choke supplies in case of a war between the major powers, and this will also threaten the littoral states.

All the regional and neighbouring nations will immensely benefit from the canal as lower costs could expand trade and demand. Malaysia’s northern region, now devoid of any major trade connections or major economic development, could benefit from the canal.

The northern area is now served by the NSE, the East Coast Highway, and the soon-to-be opened ECRL. More road and rail connections between Malaysia and Thailand could occur in the future. The northern states of the peninsula, long deprived of any catalysts for progress, could see investments and trade enhanced due to the canal. There are also unfounded fears that the construction of the canal could cause ecological and environmental damage.

Excavating the canal using the latest technological advances and hi-tech machinery, unlike the time of construction of the Suez and Panama Canals will minimise or control damage, which can be rehabilitated in due course.

However, one needs to consider the benefits the excavation brings. The vast amount of earth dug up could be used to raise the adjacent areas, as some of these areas are prone to flooding. The vast levelled and raised areas running parallel to the canal on either side could be used to build new townships, industrial parks, and residential areas and trigger major development in this  poverty-stricken province. 

Roads and highways on the raised area spanning the length of the canal could be a bonus of the canal excavation.  Oil and gas pipelines, if needed can be laid parallel to the canal.

Underground tunnels, like the one between France and the UK can be built for vehicular traffic to traverse from north to south without having to build costly overhead bridges that will be needed to facilitate the passage of large ships.

Ports can be built on either end of the canal facing the sea, and it will enhance trade and transport connections that benefit all the neighbouring regions, including the northern Malayan peninsula.

Despite China enhancing facilities in the South China Sea islands that it controls and India also beginning to develop the Andamans and Nicobar as part of its strategic interests, the Kra canal should, as a condition, be utilised by ships only  for peaceful purposes taking into consideration the Zopfan concept of Asean. 

The canal can be built, ideally, by a conglomerate of Asean nations together with South and East Asian nations. If this is not possible then maybe China could do it on its own, as it is eager to realise this dream project with the cooperation of Thailand.

For China the Kra Canal will be more worthy than its investments in  some sections of the BRI which run through mountainous, remote, and problematic areas.

Thailand need not consider the opposition of some countries, such as Singapore and the US to the canal  project. Singapore is very advanced, is one of the richest countries today and does not rely on its maritime port for economic survival as was the case several decades ago. Singapore should not block efforts towards the realisation of the canal through its influence in Asean. 

Thailand’s socio-economic development is more important. The US has an axe to grind against China and does not want China to be dominant in this region. It is hoped that the canal will not be victimised and aborted due to the Indo-Pacific rivalry.

Thailand also worries about the canal serving as a religious/ethnic divide line, which can aid separatism. It should be noted that both the communist and religious insurgencies of the past occurred mainly due to poverty and marginalisation of the communities. Major developments and investments due to the canal will boost the socio-economic well-being of the people in the provinces.

Tourism in the Asean and nearby regions will get a big boost, especially with cruise liners plying the string of littoral states in the region and becoming more popular due to the canal. The Kra Canal itself could be a tourist draw! Can the land bridge do the same?

Just as the opening of the Suez and Panama Canals brought about major developments in international maritime trade and development in the Atlantic and Pacific regions, the Kra Canal could be the harbinger heralding the dawn of the Asian Century, when Asia overtakes both Europe and North America politically and economically and becomes the dominant continent it once was.

 

V. Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia

Housing and Local Government Ministry: Council approves land use planning for food source areas master plan

 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chairs the National Physical Planning Council meeting in Putrajaya, April 25, 2024. — Picture from Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim 

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 — The National Physical Planning Council (MPFN) today approved the main policy related to urban and rural planning, namely the Master Plan for Land Use Planning for Food Source Areas, aimed at reducing dependence on imported food products.

Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT), in a statement, said the master plan is one of the intervention measures that also seeks to enhance the country’s self-reliance in terms of food supply.

“The master plan proposes four thrusts, 20 strategies, 48 actions, and 102 initiatives to be implemented by all stakeholders, especially the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and its agencies as well as state authorities,” read the statement.

The 44th MPFN meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya, also considered six working papers, including one for approval, three for agreement and two for notifications.

KPKT said the master plan’s proposed strategies aim to ensure the conservation and preservation of land use in national food source areas, emphasise modern technology to enhance productivity and provide fiscal incentives to the state government to preserve food source areas.

It said the meeting also considered the guidelines for implementing urban renewal that serve as a reference to the government, state authorities, local governments, property developers and stakeholders interested in redeveloping marginalised, dilapidated and not economically viable settlements to enhance the urban design.

KPKT is also in the process of drafting a Bill related to urban renewal, emphasising the creation of liveable new cities and resetting consent thresholds, it said.

“Besides the food security aspect, MPFN also looks at the issue of rapid development that has caused some settlements in urban areas to be left behind in terms of progress, especially old and abandoned buildings as well as brownfield and greyfield sites that require urban renewal initiatives,” said the statement. — Bernama

PM Anwar: Revised civil service pay scheme will be the best ever introduced

 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivers a speech at the Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Service Association (PPTD) Aidilfitri Town Hall Meeting with the Prime Minister in Putrajaya, April 25, 2024. — Bernama pic

PUTRAJAYA, April 25 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today gave assurance that the revised Public Service Remuneration System (SSPA), which will be announced soon, will be the best ever introduced in the country.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the revised SSPA will also see the highest financial implication ever involved.

“I would like to reiterate that the revised remuneration system is the best and involves the highest financial implication the country has ever seen.

“But it is not your problem, it is our (government) problem to find more money. I want you to know that I do not consider this (remuneration system) a petty or trivial matter,” he said at the Malaysian Administrative and Diplomatic Service Association (PPTD) Aidilfitri Town Hall Meeting with the Prime Minister here today.

The town hall meeting was attended by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, director-general of Public Service Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz and over 2,000 administrative and diplomatic officers.

At the same time, Anwar denied that the government only focused on the welfare of civil servants, saying that the government also paid attention to the problems faced by other groups such as farmers and fishermen.

Nevertheless, he said civil servants cannot be compared with others as they are directly under the government’s purview.“So, I told my friends in the Cabinet that we have no choice. We have to give you our best, we must recognise your contributions and provide a more fair remuneration system,” he said.

Anwar said he also wanted top management in the public service to ensure that all groups of civil servants benefited from the system.

“In a meeting with the Chief Secretary to the Government, director-general of Public Service and Treasury secretary-general, I said I don’t want one department, one group that feels they are left behind. We want to make a comprehensive review of this remuneration system and I have asked for it to be done together with civil service reform,” he said.

Therefore, Anwar wanted civil servants to provide better work performance while being monitored by their respective heads of departments. He also stressed that recognition or promotion should not be given to lazy and underperforming civil servants.

“If we want to raise the dignity of our country, if we want to be more efficient, if we want to value people in terms of their performance, we should not give recognition simply based on their age or length of their service,” he said.

In addition, the prime minister also wanted all facilities provided for civil servants deployed from the peninsula to Sabah and Sarawak or vice versa to be reviewed.

At the event, Anwar also announced a special allocation of RM2 million to PPTD for the implementation of activities that have been planned to be carried out perfectly. — Bernama

Bomb squad rushed to KLIA after 'explosive' laptop found

 

SEPANG: The bomb disposal unit was rushed to the KL International Airport Cargo Centre after a package that came with a note warning that rough handling would lead to an explosion was found there.

KLIA OCPD Asst Comm Azman Shariat said the incident occurred at around 1.30pm on Thursday (April 25).

"We received a call from the scanner machine operator at the KLIA Cargo Centre.

"The individual claimed that a package was scanned and the images showed that it had a battery and wiring," he said when contacted.

He said the operator also said that there were words on the package stating: "Do not throw or it will explode".

"Checks revealed the package was addressed to an individual in Limbang, Sarawak.

"We immediately deployed a K-9 unit to the scene, and it did not detect any explosives," he said, adding that they then called in the Bomb Disposal Unit to the scene according to the standard operating procedure.

He said they destroyed the package using a robotic unit, and no explosion occurred.

"We then examined the package and found a laptop and charger cable inside.

"We also checked with the sender and confirmed that the package's contents was a laptop," he said. - Star

Kesarjanaan yang biasa-biasa sahaja

 

Bukan belajar daripada pengetahuan Barat yang membentuk imperialisme intelektual tetapi pergantungan padanya, dan sikap tidak kritis serta kekurangan keaslian (originality) yang timbul daripada ini. Minda seperti itu tidak dapat membezakan antara kesarjanaan yang baik dan yang buruk, antara kesarjanaan yang bertaraf tinggi dan yang biasa-biasa saja. Akibatnya, kita menjemput seseorang seperti Bruce Gilley untuk mengajar kita.

Beberapa tahun yang lalu, Gilley menerbitkan sebuah makalah, “The Case for Colonialism” (Third World Quarterly, September 2017). Dalam tulisan ini, dia memajukan kes untuk membenarkan penjajahan semula yang dihujahkannya akan membawa tamadun kepada negara-negara pasca penjajahan. Gilley cuba menjadikan kolonialisme sesuatu yang baik dan memanfaatkan golongan terjajah. Kita sudah biasa dengan hujah serupa yang dibuat oleh Zionis seperti Theodore Hertzl sejak akhir abad ke-19 yang mendakwa bahawa Yahudi Eropah yang menjajah yang akan membawa tamadun ke Palestin, bukan rakyat Palestin sendiri.

Ramai daripada kita dalam kalangan ahli akademik tertanya-tanya bagaimana kertas Gilley boleh melepasi proses semakan jurnal berprestij seperti Third World Quarterly. Pandangannya bukan sahaja menghina tetapi juga berdasarkan keilmuan yang sederhana.

Apakah kita mahu dibimbing oleh orang yang bersimpati dengan penjajah. Adakah ini tidak merendahkan diri?

Mentaliti kehambaan secara cendekia (intelek) tidak merasa malu oleh kenyataan bahawa kita masih banyak bergantung pada Barat sepanjang yang menyangkut pentadbiran universiti yang berasaskan gagasan neoliberal Amerika dan menganggap pendidikan sebagai perusahaan semata-mata.

Timbul dari itu obsesi dengan ranking universiti. Universiti kita telah hilang minat pada proses kreatif berfikir secara kreatif. Kita hanya bergantung pada agenda penyelidikan, idea, dan media penerbitan yang kebanyakannya berpusat di Amerika Syarikat dan Britain. Inilah yang dimaksudkan dengan imperialisme intelektual.

Semasa zaman penjajahan, sarjana British yang sering menjadi pentadbir kolonial pada masa yang sama bukanlah sarjana terbaik yang dihasilkan masyarakat mereka. Perkhidmatan kolonial cenderung menarik bakat yang lebih rendah. Sebagai contoh, walaupun British mempunyai sarjana hebat sejarah British, mereka tidak melahirkan sarjana hebat yang mengkhususkan dalam sejarah Melayu. Di samping itu, sarjana seumpama itu berfungsi sebagai penganjur penjajahan.

Saya melihat kesarjanaan Gilley dalam rangka ini. Saya sedia berbincang secara terbuka dengan mana-mana ahli akademik tetapi kita mesti tahu siapa sarjana yang patut kita hormati dengan jemputan kepada institusi pengajian tinggi kita, dan siapa yang patut kita kritik malah mengelakkan. - FMT

Artikel ini adalah pandangan penulis dan tidak semestinya mewakili MMKtT.