Author Archives: wcw

Seeing ancient treasures of Yogyakarta up close and personal


The writer standing among the stupas at Borobudur in Yogyakarta. — Photos: FLORENCE TEH

Despite the long-standing temptation, it took me ages to finally visit Yogyakarta, which is a crying shame because this Indonesian city is just a hop, skip and jump away from Kuala Lumpur.

Regarded as the centre of traditional art and cultural heritage, this is the home of the massive Borobudur Buddhist temple as well as the stunning Prambanan Hindu temple.

The more famous Borobudur is the most visited tourist site in Indonesia, drawing about 2.5 million visitors annually. That’s also the reason why the Indonesian government has considered restrictions as part of its conservation efforts to protect this sprawling complex.

The 9th century Buddhist sanctuary has been standing tall for thousands of years, but it’s struggling to cope with the daily thronging of tourists.

Damages inflicted include the destruction and decay to nearly half of the 2,000-odd stone steps from human overload.

Guards are now posted to stop over-excited visitors from ignoring no-climbing signs and curtailing their attempts to scramble on top of the stupas to pose for the ideal Instagram pictures.

Although designated as a Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site, it has suffered severe damage from the elements, volcanic ash fall and even attempts by terrorists to blow it up. Vandalism and unregulated visitors remain its main threat though.


Visitors to Borobudur are allowed to climb up the steps to where the stupas are, but the main stupa in the middle is off limits.

In 2010, Borobudur was covered in volcanic ash following the eruption of the nearby Mount Merapi, regarded as the most active volcano in Indonesia.

And before that, in 1985, nine bombs were detonated at the temple, badly damaging nine stupas (the dome shaped Buddhist shrine) on the upper rounded terraces.

Regarded as one of the world’s seven wonders, it has indeed lived up to its name as a special iconic place by continuing to survive and defy all odds.

Abandoned in the 14th century, presumably because of the decline of the Hindu kingdoms in Java in the face of the rise of Islam, the temple complex was eventually swallowed by the jungle.

But Borobudur was rediscovered by Sir Stamford Raffles after setting up his base in Singapore. He was earlier stationed in Penang. He was also commissioned by the British to look after Java as its governor.

Having read news reports about the authorities prohibiting visitors from entering and climbing up the complex, I decided it was time for me to visit this magnificent structure.

An Indonesian friend had visited the temple and was only allowed access to the grounds, so things weren’t looking too good for me.

There were earlier reports of a US$100 (RM450) additional charge for those harbouring hopes of making the climb.


Some of the stones at the temple are lighter-coloured because they are replacements of the originals that were either damaged or stolen throughout the centuries.

But lo and behold, when I visited Borobudur recently, I was allowed to make the ascent – and I only needed to fork out RM24 for an hour’s access! Divine intervention? I’d like to think so.

The entrance fee was 375,000 rupiah (RM113) for foreigners, which locals consider steep.

My guide shook his head and said he, too, was confused by the constant change of policies and decisions.

“These days, I dare not make any commitment when my guests ask if they are still allowed to enter the temple complex or about the price of entrance tickets,” he said.

But I wasn’t complaining. I had come to Yogyakarta to visit the temple with the resignation that my movements would be confined to the grounds and cursed myself for not having made the visit years ago.

Imagine my delight when I learned I had an hour’s access to the temple proper!


The majestic Prambaran temple complex.

In fact, it was very well organised with each group limited to a maximum of 15 people per session. There is no overlap, so each group has exclusive time, thus maintaining order and minimising impact on the place.

So, visitors can take better pictures without getting photobombed. Just be patient and you’ll likely get good pictures without anyone hovering in the back.

There’s no limit to the amount of time you can spend on the grounds but with the scorching sun, it will be a case of get-your-shots-and-go.

Unlike before, it’s also no longer possible to be at Borobudur at 3am to wait for the sunrise to capture those incredible photographs. Likewise sunset.

Now, the operating hours are from 6am – and the sunrise is early in Indonesia – to 5pm.

That was another stern reminder that I should have visited Borobudur 10 years ago, or even earlier!

Having finally visited it, I now understand why this is such a fascinating sight where construction took 75 years to complete. This majestic place has thousands of intricate carvings with a story behind each and every one of them.

There are 2,672 relief panels and 504 statues of Buddha, with the central dome surrounded by 72 statues.

Just imagine, the total structure comprises more than 1.6 million blocks of the volcanic rock andesite.

How these rocks were cut, placed, and joined is an engineering feat and mystery of the Sailendra Dynasty, which flourished in Java from about 750 to 850.

No trip to Yogyakarta is complete without a visit to the Prambanan ruins, located about 17km northeast of the city.

The temple compound is another Unesco World Heritage Site; the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia and the second largest in South-East Asia after Angkor Wat.

The tall and pointed architecture of the Shiva temple, the main shrine, is an incredible sight to behold.

Surrounded by many other temples, I was also enchanted by the Sewu Buddhist temple ruins within the Prambanan archaeological park.


Prambaran is the largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia.

I can’t help but admire the Indonesians. They take great pride in these Hindu and Buddhist monuments.

They don’t attempt to downplay the incredible history and heritage of the Hindu kingdoms.

While almost the entire population living around these temple areas are Muslim, they have no issue selling replicas of stupas and Buddha heads.

I have travelled to over 60 countries and visited many incredible places including the Great Wall of China and the pyramids of Egypt.

Borobudur and Prambanan certainly have the wow factor, too. At least I no longer have to wonder about chalking off another wonder on my list.

A new beginning with Unity Week


NATIONAL Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (pic) is not a person who gets excited easily. He has a calm and composed personality but as the country celebrates its first Unity Week, the Sarawakian politician cannot hide his enthusiasm.

“Yes, I am eagerly looking forward to the kick-off of the week-long celebrations which will be held at the Kuching waterfront,” he said.

The Kanowit MP had wanted Unity Week to start in the peninsula but his ministry staff members convinced him that there was no need to be apologetic as Sarawak was indeed a model state which embraced diversity and unity was indeed practised.

The 64-year-old low-profile Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) leader is himself a living example of a true Malaysian.

“I am an Iban, but my wife is from the Orang Ulu ethnic group. There are Muslims, Chinese and even a Caucasian in our family.

“We celebrate all festivals together in the true Malaysian spirit. I am proud of it and in Sarawak, many places of worship of different religions are located next to each other.

“There is no issue. That’s the beauty of Sarawak and, I am sure, Sabah too,’’ he said in an interview at his ministry office in Putrajaya.

The occasion will start this Saturday with a walk-run-ride event to be flagged off by Aaron at the iconic Waterfront. An estimated 2,000 people will join the run while 500 will take part in the bike event.

The organisers hope to set a national record for having the largest number of people dressed up in their respective ethnic costumes in one place. It’s also at the promenade which lines the south bank of the Sarawak River.

On Sunday, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah will officiate the largest gathering of Malaysians dressed in their respective ethnic costumes. The target is at least 1,000 people, including from the many ethnic groups in the state.

Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will also be present.

Aaron makes no pretence that unity among the various races will be achieved overnight from the week’s celebrations.

“I look at this positively. When people come together, it’s a new beginning.

“When they show up to participate, it’s a success,’’ he said.

Aaron believes that friendship and relationships will be cultivated from these events, including smaller-scale ones such as exhibitions, pet contests, buskers’ performances and cultural shows.

“No one will be left out as all states, including Kelantan, Kedah, Terengganu and Perlis (which are held by the Opposition), will take part.

“There will be no politics, just Malaysians coming together as one people,’’ he said.

What I look forward to most is the inaugural Setia Perpaduan song, composed by the veteran singer Datuk DJ Dave, which will feature 13 singers.

Even the King had a hand in it as he made some proposals, especially the lyrics, when it was first presented to him.

Dave has put all this together for Sunday’s event.

Dave has been involved in walks organised by The Star to promote racial unity and moderation in the past, and certainly his 1973 hit song Maafkanlah incorporates Chinese beats, Malay lyrics and Indian melodies.

Malay language academician Prof Dr Lim Swee Ting provided the most important line in the inspiring song – “berbeza kita, tidak memisahkan (we have our differences, but that does not divide)” – while composer S. Atan did the musical arrangements.

At a time when some politicians still want to harp on race and religion, it is indeed uplifting and encouraging that efforts have been made to instil the spirit of national unity and to celebrate diversity.Malaysia is made up of many races, but we all know that we are one nation and one nationality, and that national unity is a pillar of madani. Let no one tell us differently.

Our Voice in China with Victor Gu

 

Play it cool


The other green wave: British rock group Coldplay will bring their environmental-friendly show to Kuala Lumpur this November. — Others

THE best way to deal with the ludicrous call by PAS to cancel top British rock band Coldplay’s concert in Kuala Lumpur this November is this – simply ignore it. Give them the cold shoulder. How on earth could the concert promote hedonism and perverse culture, as claimed by a PAS politician? This is beyond logic.

Hedonism basically means the pursuit of pleasure and sensual self-indulgence.

My simplistic mind thinks the word carries a sexual connotation. Unfair as it may be, that’s how the folks in green like to presume and, or, assume when it comes to any form of entertainment.

If we choose to accept such a narrow meaning of pleasure, then we may as well ban cinemas, television, and even video streaming platforms.

It’s really no wonder that cinemas are banned in Kelantan.

To give them credit, they practise what they preach as politicians but this also means, if they are given a chance to form the federal government, we can expect horrendous policies to come our way.

What has attracted global attention including that of our Prime Minister, who welcomed Coldplay to KL in a video message, is that the music tour has been touted as environmentally friendly.

The new global tour is to support the band’s most recent album, Music of the Spheres, where the band have made several environmental pledges.

They have also announced several sustainability initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible.

I am looking forward to booking my tickets on May 17, as besides listening to their music, I’d like to see their concert set up, which includes kinetic dance floors and stationary bikes to channel energy directly from those in the crowd into batteries to power different elements of the show.

Now, that’s what I call a positive message and carried out in a creative, fun way at the same time. If these efforts aren’t enough, according to a news report, the band has pledged to plant and protect millions of new trees – including one for every ticket sold.

It’s probably the first big name band, as far as I know, to push for the reduction of consumption, cut C02 emission by 50% and reinvent – supporting new green technologies and developing sustainable, super-low carbon touring methods, according to its website.

Yes, the band would still need to fly to make their global tour a reality and it remains to be seen if this is a clever way just to be politically correct or be the first environmentally friendly group of musicians.

Let’s just give them the thumbs up for promoting a cleaner environment in a big way.

When big names like Coldplay make such a commitment, it reaches a bigger audience.

I have been told that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has decided to use social media to openly welcome Coldplay to KL so enthusiastically because of this faultless pledge.

Coldplay is simply a group of middle-aged male musicians who are usually dressed in simple T- shirts and jeans when they appear on stage. Don’t expect any gyrating or even dancing.

I believe that PAS central committee member, hardliner Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi, who has previously spoken up against Valentine’s Day celebrations and called for a ban of an Elton John concert in 2012, has no idea who Coldplay is, let alone their music.

During my student days at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in the 1980s, pro-PAS students also pushed to ban an Alleycats concert. The same reason was used – it would only promote hedonism and perverse culture. Seriously!

In Nasrudin’s issue, it appears to be a classic case of calling for a ban for the sake of it. It’s like a rehashed script.

Well, this is just him and he is entitled to his opinion and his wish.

Likewise, the rest of us are entitled to enjoy ourselves at the concert. He can choose to stay at home, thank you very much.

None of us are going to take drugs, get high and indulge in orgies at the concert, if that’s what these highly imaginative guys in green are thinking.

What are they smoking?

Let’s not forget that music tourism is a multi-million ringgit revenue earner. We want Coldplay fans to catch the concert, spend their money on flights, hotels and food in Malaysia.

But of course, it’s a calculated move by the Islamist party.

They don’t really care what the Bangsar crowd think or what the mainstream English media feel about them.

They have a loyal following of supporters, who are prepared to be patient and wait their turn to govern Malaysia. After all, they already have Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

Nasrudin claims Coldplay was waving an LBGT flag, meaning this is a good enough reason to stop them.

Going by his half-baked argument, Malaysia would need to cut diplomatic ties with quite a few Western leaders who have embraced the LBGT movement, taken part in Pride parades and waved the rainbow flags, too.

The colour at the Coldplay concert will be one to promote green. A different kind of green, that is.

Joining forces to defend palm oil producers


Fadillah: Malaysia is the first producer of certified sustainable palm oil and remains the global gold standard

DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof will be making a visit to Brussels next month to meet the European Union (EU) which has imposed what he has described as “unjust and discriminatory’’ regulations against the palm oil industry.

The Plantation and Commodities Minister will be joined by his Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto to meet EU Members of Parliament, officials, businessmen and non-governmental organisations.

Fadillah spoke to WONG CHUN WAI in an exclusive interview on the EU actions and their impact.

WONG: Datuk Seri, there has been considerable discussion in the press about Europe’s latest move to block palm oil exports, but this isn’t the first attempt. Can you tell us about the Renewable Energy Directive?

Fadillah: You’re right, in recent years the EU has enacted several legislations and regulations that specifically target palm oil. One of the most discriminatory is the Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

RED, first enacted in 2018, is Europe’s landmark renewable energy and transport fuel policy. Since it came into force, RED has since undergone several revisions. The most recent update – so-called RED II – labelled palm oil as high risk.

This singled out palm oil and prevented palm-based biodiesel feedstocks from being counted under RED II’s renewable energy targets, nor qualify for its financial incentives. Worse, RED II implemented a ban on palm oil usage by 2030.

In response, Malaysia fielded action against the EU at the World Trade Organisation. It appears the EU was rather unhappy with our response. Europe is actively considering the introduction of “RED III,” which may ban palm oil biodiesel exports starting this year.

The EU has claimed these RED restrictions are not a ban. This is sophistry. What else should you call it, when the directive makes our immediate exports unviable, and then sets a future date after which we can no longer export?

I understand that the EU plans to carry out a benchmarking system of countries and placing them on low, medium, and high-risk places over deforestation, under EU Deforestation Regulation. How will this affect us?

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is set to become yet another trade ban erected against exports from Malaysia and other developing countries. Its benchmarking system used to determine the risk status of exporters is based on unsound reasoning and a weak scientific basis.

Malaysia, and the palm oil sector’s record on deforestation is clear. Today, deforestation from palm oil in Malaysia is effectively zero. Palm oil plantation expansion has slowed, and since 2019, palm oil planted area has decreased from 5.9 million ha to 5.67 million ha.

Since 2011, the forested area in Malaysia has actually increased. Forested area has now grown to 19.1 million ha which are under a long-term forest management plan. This is more than 55% of Malaysia’s total land area.

The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification scheme has played a critical role in reducing deforestation from palm oil to effectively zero.

In 2022, MSPO revised its standards to strengthen our commitments to reducing deforestation.

The Malaysian government has been very clear to our European partners: our palm oil is not high risk, Malaysia is not high risk, and we do not expect to be classified as such.

Malaysian palm oil is sustainable and is one of the most certified vegetable oils in the world today.

The MSPO already guarantees Malaysia’s commitment to comprehensive sustainability standards.

It has been reported that Malaysia and Indonesia are considering stopping palm exports to the European Union. While this reflects our frustrations, is this a rational response as Europe remains the second largest importer of palm oil globally?

Malaysia values our European friends. We treat our trading partners with fairness. Sadly, this mutual respect and recognition has not been reciprocated by the leadership of the EU.

Malaysia and Indonesia will coordinate closely on the EUDR response, more closely than ever before. The EU should understand that our two countries are of one view on the nature of the EUDR and we are determined together to defend our palm oil producers and our farmers.

After my meeting with Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, last month, we have agreed to send envoys to the EU to discuss the impact of the bloc’s new deforestation law and to prevent unintended consequences of the regulation on Malaysia and Indonesia, and our critical industries.

At the same time, our producers are focusing on new, more promising markets that respect their trading partners, such as the Middle East, India and China.

We are also identifying other avenues for the Malaysian palm oil industry by encouraging the industry to diversify into the downstream activities, which produces higher value-added palm oil-derivatives, oleochemical products as well as palm biomass. This enables the industry to fully utilise these co-products, enable the adoption of circular economy and minimises its wastes.

Can high-end government-to-government engagements help?

Yes, such engagements are very important. However, the challenges present for Malaysia in the EU goes well beyond a joint mission. Malaysia and Indonesia are both members of the regional platform (Asean) and we have discussed how to work within Asean to address European unilateralism against our region.

We have agreed to coordinate cooperation with our Indonesian partners to express our shared concerns about the impact of the EU’s regulation and the harm it will have on our region and developing nations across the world.

This government is committed to standing for Malaysian interests, including in the palm oil sector, in every meeting, every speech, at every regional and international forum.

Should we spend more energy and resources in other countries such as China, India, and the West Asian countries?

These are markets that offer great potential and can only lead to closer ties and more engagement. Yet, they are not mature markets like Europe, either.

India and China remain the two biggest buyers of Malaysian palm oil and we feel there is still room for expansion in these growing markets. Oils and fats intake in both these markets are growing and we plan to expand the usage of Malaysian palm oil and downstream products, especially in the food sector.

At the same time, we are focusing on several key countries in the Middle East and Africa. In 2022, Malaysian palm oil exports to the Middle Eastern region increased by approximately 32% whereas exports to the North African region registered an increase of 51%. Under the umbrella of the MSPO, we are also positioning sustainability as the unique value propositions of Malaysian palm oil.

The same issue of deforestation has been used against Malaysia and Indonesia. This has been going on for a while. What else can we do to overcome the deforestation regulation?

Malaysia’s record on deforestation and forest conservation is far superior to that of many European countries.

Firstly, Malaysia’s commitments to uphold 50% of its land under forest cover, which was announced at the Rio Earth Summit 1992, still exists today.

Currently, Malaysia maintains about 55% of its total land area as forest cover.

The EU average is under 40%. So, who should be lecturing whom when it comes to forest protection and deforestation?

We also need to continuously convey Malaysia’s latest sustainability initiatives and efforts, to keep the Western market updated.

For example, our national palm oil sustainability certification scheme, revised last year, has included strengthened sustainability requirements, which include No Deforestation cut-off date, High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, Social Impact Assessment (SIA), improved social and labour practices and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions calculation.

To be clear: Malaysia is the first producer of certified sustainable palm oil, and we remain the global gold standard. Our major companies can meet the EU sustainability requirements in EUDR and elsewhere. That is not in question, and we will continue to supply our European customers seamlessly. The issue with EUDR is that it deliberately targets small farmers which could see them being excluded from supply chains – and that infringes on Malaysia’s sovereignty.

Has your Ministry had any engagements with the EU and are they engaging or open to discussing this contentious issue? Or are their minds closed?

Yes, we have held a dialogue and engagement session with our EU counterparts. We will continue to do so. Malaysia and Indonesia will also act in coordination.


Wong (left) and Fadillah during the interview.

What will you do to make the ministry more impactful and efficient in carrying out/implementing directives from your office? The sentiment is that the industry players are hopeful of this government demonstrating a better degree of delivery, what will you do to ensure that this happens?

As the Minister of Plantation and Commodities of Malaysia, my main priority is to protect the interests and livelihood of the millions of citizens who depend on the palm oil industry. While we understand and acknowledge the concerns about the environment and deforestation, we firmly believe that the EU deforestation- free regulation is discriminatory and unjustified.

Sustainability and ESG (environmental, social and governance) have been and will always be a core focus for us. We have implemented strict regulations and guidelines for oil palm plantation development and management, including guidelines for environmental impact assessments and monitoring of plantations.

We have also made mandatory the adoption of sustainable practices such as the MSPO certification scheme, which sets standards for responsible palm oil production.

In addition, we will work closely with the industry to explore alternative ways to increase productivity while reducing environmental impact and deforestation. We will also explore new markets and opportunities for Malaysia’s palm oil industry to reduce dependence on the EU market.

Furthermore, we will continue to engage in constructive dialogues with the EU and other stakeholders, and to demonstrate the positive contributions of the palm oil industry to the economy and livelihood of many Malaysians, as well as its commitment to sustainability and responsible production.

My priority as the Plantation and Commodities Minister will be to protect the interests of the industry and the livelihood of the citizens, while also ensuring that sustainability and ESG remain at the core of our policies and practices.

Given the continuing campaign against palm oil, what fresh steps will be taken to better promote palm oil?

Palm oil is the world’s most popular vegetable oil. It is the most productive, healthiest, and most versatile. So of course, our competitors wish to knock us down, whether through non-governmental organisation campaigns or through lobbying for trade barriers. So, we know that the key is to rely on facts and demonstrate our work to our customers. A simple example is our mandatory MSPO certification scheme, which clearly addresses sustainability, environmental protection, social responsibility, and workers’ rights, among others. It also focuses on, most importantly, traceability.

Our efforts are focused on getting stakeholders in Malaysia and abroad to understand and appreciate MSPO-certified products through talks, forums, and seminars.

MSPO has become our differentiation factor. We are producers of not just any palm oil, but certified Malaysian palm oil, and MSPO is the sustainability guarantee.

It is also important to mention that the Malaysian palm oil industry has more than 450,000 smallholders. They are the backbone of the industry. They are also a real-life example of Malaysia’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Unfortunately, the proposed regulations that would harm smallholders would also directly undermine the SDGs.

The national fresh fruit bunch yields for Malaysia have been stagnating since the mid-1980s and have in fact regressed further the last three to four years reaching only 15.5 tonne/ha in 2022 (way below the likes of the more efficient planters in Malaysia). It is a new 30-year low, what initiatives must the industry focus on to raise our national yields so that we can also remain competitive in the future?

Firstly, the industry needs to focus on minimising losses through increasing its crop-recovery efforts by optimising the plantation operations’ collection of loose fruitlets, as well as reducing the occurrence of missed ripe fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) and unripe FFB collections.

Secondly, replanting efforts with selected and proven dura-free planting materials should be given utmost importance to maximise the yield. In addition to the conventional plant breeding programmes and in-vitro cloning of high yielding palms, the industry needs to utilise the developments made through the full mapping of the oil palm genome.

More genomics-based planting materials with selected traits such as thinner shells, thicker mesocarp, being disease and stress-resistant, are expected to be developed by the industry which can further increase the productivity of the new generation of oil palms in Malaysia.

Finally, the industry should embrace and adopt the latest available technological advancements in the form of Industry 4.0 (IR 4.0) technologies to help increase yields, for example autonomous drones and mechanisation for agronomic practices, digitalisation and the utilisation of Big Data, Internet of Things and blockchain technology for precision agriculture, plantation management and milling operations.

The adoption of these technologies enables the industry to transition into precision farming that will fully optimise its available resources (planting materials, land, labour, energy, water, fertilisers, and pesticides).

There has been an acute shortage or foreign workers in the industry last year attributing to the lower production. What will you do to ensure that avenues exist so companies can replenish their workforce?

We are aware of the labour shortage faced by the palm oil industry during the pandemic. My ministry has been engaging with the Ministry of Human Resources in addressing the issue, such as speeding up the procuring of foreign workers.

My colleague, Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar, has announced this January that Malaysia would relax conditions on migrant worker recruitment involved in certain sectors which include plantations, where his ministry will process and approve applications within three working days.

Another measure undertaken is that the Human Resources Ministry will also enable Malaysian employers to employ foreign workers from 15 source countries without undergoing preconditions of employment and quota eligibility. This will help expedite the procurement process of foreign workers for the Malaysian palm oil industry. Nevertheless, plantation operators should not be too reliant on foreign workers.

They should be more creative in trying to entice the local workforce, for example, by offering flexible working hours as well as attractive incentives based on productivity. The industry needs to also explore and utilise available IR 4.0 technologies that can reduce the dependency on manual labour.

What will you do to ensure that red tape and bureaucracy are eliminated in the recruitment process as this is a problem stated by many industry captains today?

The ministry will continue its engagement with the Ministry of Human Resources in identifying unnecessary red tapes and bureaucracy that are hampering the recruitment process for the industry.

However, we need to also ensure that there is no element of forced labour during the recruitment process, and potential foreign workers are procured through ethical and transparent sourcing, without any form of exploitation or coercion. The government and private sector are both committed to this.

Sustainability has become a vital necessity to keep trade doors open today especially in Western markets, what emphasis will the DPM give to the topic of sustainability?

Firstly, we need to emphasise that Malaysia has and continues to be committed to ensuring that its commodities are regulated, sustainably produced and certified. Its MSPO certification scheme is mandatory for the palm oil industry. Its auditing process is fully independent, externally audited by certification bodies which include recognised international firms such as BSI, Control Union and SGS.

Additional sustainability requirements included in the revised MSPO standards in 2022, like High Conservation Value areas, No Deforestation cut-off date, Social Impact Assessment, have improved social and labour practices and GHG emissions calculations to enable the Malaysian palm oil industry to better address environment, labour and governance issues.

MSPO’s supply chain traceability platform (MSPO Trace) which extends beyond the mills to refineries and processing facilities and enables better transparency as well as traceability of MSPO-certified palm oil, will enable customers and consumers to verify the sustainability of the Malaysian palm oil used.

In addition to the MSPO certification, we are also looking at the possibility of making sustainability certifications compulsory for our other commodities as well.

Secondly, we are advocating to the palm oil industry that sustainability requirements are no longer about mere compliance and should now be the norm and engrained in our corporate culture.

With ESG ratings and risks gaining traction amongst financial institutions, investors and stakeholders, companies need to ensure that sustainability and ESG matters are well addressed.

This is crucial in gaining better financing access and attracting more institutional investments.

We hope that our international partners will work with us on this sustainability journey, rather than imposing trade barriers that will not incentivise positive change.

The EUDR is not a good development from this perspective. We hope to have more constructive and balanced approaches from our international partners.

Sir, as the first DPM from Sarawak, what have been the expectations from the people of Sarawak from you?

Sarawak demands its right as stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA 63). We claim for our rights, allocations that Sarawak should receive, based on MA63 when Malaysia was formed.

Our oil royalties should be demanded as we are the producers of resources.

As the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem used to say, “I don’t care if the oil is dug in other countries, but if the oil is taken from Sarawak, we have the right to demand additional royalties for us to carry out further development”.

We are more assertive in asking for what was previously agreed upon to be fully honoured.

Expectations from Borneo are quite big, not only from Sarawakians but also Sabahans. It is my responsibility that this is borne and it requires the cooperation of not only Borneo MPs but even all MPs for us to see how we can close the gap between Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.

What are the immediate targets for the immediate, medium and long-term for Sarawak and Sabah?

The three main areas to focus on are:

  • Education – to ensure every child has the access to proper education to prepare them with the required knowledge.
  • Healthcare – so that everyone, including those in the rural areas, has access to proper medical treatment and facilities.
  • Physical development – access roads that will help to spur development and connect people.

The size of Sabah and Sarawak is a challenge, but I believe the federal government is trying its best to provide the best infrastructure to both regions.

Though it might take time, correct steps are taken to ensure a successful implementation.

The decision of the federal government announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to empower the Public Works Departments of Sarawak and Sabah to manage federal projects of up to RM50mil should be the right move to prevent delays or non-implementation of approved projects in Borneo.

Liar

 

Time to tackle rape head-on

SEXUAL assault is a subject that most Malaysians prefer not to delve into, even if this particular topic is a work of fiction for a film production, as many of us find the subject, frankly, disturbing.

There is a degree of uneasiness over how such a subject with much social stigma here should be tackled sensitively.

So, for many, the easiest way is to avoid it completely.

Unfortunately, sexual assaults, or more precisely, rapes, take place almost every day in Malaysia.

In fact, there are an average of five rape cases reported daily in Malaysia, according to the Journal of Humanistic Psychology.

A compelling and educational drama is finally on our mini screens, with female voices taking the lead.

Liar, a television series produced by Astro Shaw, is a story of a divorced teacher, Lara Sulaiman, who goes on a date with a single father and well-known surgeon, Dr Aiman Yusuf.

He seems like the perfect gentleman – handsome, affluent, educated, witty and well-mannered.

But the relationship takes a disastrous turn after Dr Aiman takes Lara home.

She suddenly feels sick, and by the next morning, she just knows she has been sexually assaulted.

She accuses him of raping her; he naturally denies it, and without any real evidence, Lara faces a wall.

Her family members are also apparently unsupportive of her “baseless” actions in pursuing justice, preferring to have her just move on and forget about the incident that also affects them.

I won’t go any further, as I don’t want this to be a spoiler. I have watched six episodes, and I thought the finale was here. But Astro has told me there are six more shows to go.

Like most of Astro Originals productions, such as Kuasa and Kudeta, the setting is urban, and the dialogue is a mix of Bahasa Malaysia and English, with a multi-racial cast.

So is the production team, with Lim Siu Min as executive producer and Jason Chong and Imri Nasution as co-directors.

Liar is an adaptation of a British thriller of the same name, and Astro has acquired the rights to this Bafta-nominated drama.

The cast boasts the likes of Tiz Zaqyah and Tony Eusoff.

It is not often that local film producers provide a voice for women in Malaysia.

We still deal with gender biases here, let’s face it.

Women are often the ones blamed for rape, an unfair accusation initiated by conservative politicians who think that the way a woman dresses is a contributing factor.

Some even point the finger at “actions” by the women that purportedly send the wrong message to the men.

But the reality is that, according to a 2022 news report, children and teenagers aged between 13 and 18 make up the biggest number of rape victims in Selangor.

Here’s the punchline to these accusers – the victims did not dress provocatively.

Another news report said that date rape is also high, with 60% of it happening during dates, and like Liar, it is hard to prove, especially when victims tend to clean themselves up after such assaults, believing it will wash away the shame and “dirtiness’’ they had just gone through.

But it also means they unwittingly remove the precious evidence away.

In most rape cases, the victims know their predators, and sometimes these may include their own family members.

Researchers Janet Ann Fernandez and Azmanwaty Mohamad Nor, in their article, rightly opined that “the problem lies not in the hands of an individual or a few misogynistic men but in society”.

“It lies in the mindset of the people, and every one of us is taking part in rape culture by endorsing rape myths.

“Rape myth acceptance within Malaysian society encourages sexual assaults or sexual violence.

“Some of the popular rape myths include: the victim’s clothing choice, the victim’s emotional reactions, the presence of physical injuries, rape occurs between strangers, women lie about rape, and men cannot be raped.’’

Astro Shaw, together with Double Vision and All3Media International, deserves to be commended for its willingness to take up this issue.

In the words of Astro Shaw’s head, Raja Jastina Raja Arshad, Liar is a gripping story that explores gender politics, sexual harassment, mental health and deceit, which are rarely addressed on our screens.

I am not lying; it’s a good TV series. Don’t miss it.

Revolting reverence


Setting things right: A Malaysia Madani billboard along the MRR2 highway. However, the Prime Minister has learned that there are many unnecessary billboards featuring him – erected using public money – all over the country, and has called for a stop to the wasteful splurge. – IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

THE Prime Minister has certainly set things right by calling for a stop to billboards with his face on them.

Surely all of us know what Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim looks like, so there’s no need to splurge taxpayers’ money to compete with cosmetic ad models and tuition teachers along the highway.

Last week, he complained that while on his way to Alor Setar for a Hari Raya open house, he learned about the billboards featuring him all over the country.

The billboards, he said, had been erected by government departments using allocations from the previous government.

Well, it doesn’t matter if the money is from the budget of the past government. The bottom line is, there’s absolutely no reason to use the money to serve our political leaders’ narcissistic needs.

It’s good that Anwar pointed out the money allocated for these billboards should be put to better use.

These government bodies must have presumed that they were doing the PM a favour and wanted recognition for their contributions by buying space on these billboards.

But it isn’t just the PM who’s glorified. There are billboards of other leaders including Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers, state executive councillors and elected representatives all over the place, too, sometimes, even on bus stands.

It’s perfectly understandable if such billboards were part of an election campaign because voters need to be reminded of politicians’ presence.

Then there are the banners put up during festivals to greet their constituents. They are certainly acceptable, but please direct the contractors to remove them after the celebrations are over.

These banners invariably become eyesores, yet no one seems to take them down, not even the local authorities whose tasks include tearing down illegal advertisements.

But the heart of the problem about using public funds for billboards lies in the long standing bodek culture afflicting Malaysia.

It’s unfair to just blame the civil service for wanting to gain favours from their superiors, including political leaders.

Pathetic as it may sound, some would have thought that putting up billboards would be a way to gain brownie points.

One writer aptly described this currying favour practice as “the greatest single organisational dysfunction within Malaysia’s civil service, compromising the quality and integrity of management along with protection against corruption.”

Strong words. Perhaps even out of line, but a new political culture is surely needed.

Our federal ministers, for a start, should direct government officials under their respective ministries to dismiss the practice of grand receptions when they attend meetings.

It’s inexplicable why so many officials should stop work just to greet and smile at a minister, or their deputies for that matter.

Malaysians would also like to see ceremonies become short and precise.

It’s criminal for civil servants and invited guests to be spending half the day attending unproductive events, which mostly entails listening to a VIP.

Ministers and their deputies are merely performing their duties and while we respect our leaders, nothing comes out of unnecessarily elevating the status of politicians.

For a start, some politicians can discard the need for travelling with an entourage, which often includes political hangers-on. It’s nothing more than a grandiose display of self-importance.

The old politicians, or commonly known as party warlords, are the worst of the lot. They enjoy travelling in a convoy of Alphard and Vellfire vehicles, or their equivalents.

And certainly, the entitlement of police outriders and even council outriders, must stop. These ingratiating, servile culture and pompous, egotistical practices must cease.

Then, there are those who insist that their titles must be properly addressed or else they’d be offended.

I’ve said enough of our rituals of addressing every Tan Sri, Puan Sri, Datuk Seri, Datin Seri, Datuk Datuk and Datin Datin. That’s practically everyone in the room.

Our obsession with titles and honorifics to earn respect and public standing has really gone overboard. Too many people are flaunting titles they don’t deserve.

No wonder there are Malaysians who are freely parading titles even if it’s an offence.

The PM started his political career in the 1970s, insisting that he should be addressed as just Saudara Anwar Ibrahim.

We need a fresh political culture where YBs are elected to do their work and not expected to be revered.

A new political culture is surely needed.

The new Cold War heats up


Insightful views: Kishore giving his assessment on the US-China rivalry during his lecture in Kuala Lumpur.

International relations expert Kishore Mahbubani has interesting views on US-China rivalry and the role Asean could play.

IT’S not every day that one gets to hear directly from Prof Kishore Mahbubani, one of the best thinkers on international relations.

In fact, it had taken the organiser, the Malaysian Institute of Management, over two years to invite the Singaporean diplomat, academician and best-selling author to Kuala Lumpur.

Those of us who turned up for his lecture on Tuesday evening wanted to hear his assessment of the United States-China rivalry, which is certain to get worse in the coming years.

Kishore is a Distinguished Fellow at the Asian Research Institute, National University of Singapore, and has had two notable careers – 33 years in diplomacy and 15 years in academia.

He was the founding dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and spent over 10 years as Singapore’s ambassador to the United Nations.

He has authored several books, including best-sellers such as Can Asians Think? and Has The West Lost It?. His insightful views on the US-China geopolitical rivalry have grabbed the attention of many.

Gloomy as it may be, it is certain and unavoidable — in Kishore’s own words — that the rivalry will worsen as the Chinese push to challenge the United States for dominance.

For us living in the Asean region, especially Malaysians, it is more troubling as the power play is taking place in our backyard, the South China Sea, while Taiwan is merely about four hours away by flight.

Kishore predicts the contest, if not already a feud, will accelerate in the next 10 years and he doesn’t see it quietening down.

The scenario is unprecedented as for the first time in human history, these two superpowers are colliding.

Driven by what he describes as structural forces, he sees China as the “No. 2 that is about to take over as No. 1 and the US will push down China” at all costs as the latter does not see itself losing its pole position.

“They should learn from the Malaysian monarchy (where the reigning King) steps down every five years,’’ he joked.

He said in his highly provocative titled book Has China Won? that it hasn’t helped that the many US policymakers who will drive this geopolitical contest are “possessed by a psychology that sees all competition among great powers as a zero-sum game”.

“Hence, if China steps up its naval deployments in the South China Sea, the US Navy will see it as a loss and step up its presence in the region,” he said.

There is much insecurity on the part of the United States as “it is far from certain that America will win the contest as China has as good a chance as America of emerging as the dominant influence in the world”.

“In fact, many thoughtful leaders and observers in strategically sensitive countries around the world have begun making preparations for a world where China may become number one,” said Kishore.

He said it was an error of perception for America to view the CCP as a Chinese Communist Party embedded in communist roots, when in the eyes of Asian observers, the CCP actually functions as the “Chinese Civilisation Party” with its soul rooted in Chinese civilisation.

But Kishore has some advice for China – never underestimate the United States.

It’s a giant that has woken up and it has won the narrative, with the support of a powerful international media, that it is a contest between a democracy and an authoritarian government.

“It has been a strategic mistake for American thinkers to take success for granted, it would be an equally colossal strategic mistake for China to assume the same,” he said.

Painting the Chinese as demonic has been an easy selling point to the American public, most of whom have never travelled out of their country, added Kishore, saying in his book that it will be easier “for Americans to persist in the belief that they would eventually triumph against China, no matter the odds”.

Both the Republicans and Democrats have adopted the same tone and strategy of containing China.

So, it doesn’t matter who the next US President is although it got worse under President Donald Trump. It has simply become a bipartisan policy.

The rest of the world, especially Asean, will be affected by this great power play. No one will be spared as pressure will be applied to countries to take sides.

Even a simple acquisition of technology, such as using Huawei’s applications, has turned complicated.

Kishore shared an anecdote of how a British top official had told him that it would use Huawei as security clearance, and with a stiff upper lip, said there was no reason for it to submit to US pressure.

But just months later, the United Kingdom “crumbled” to US pressure and abandoned Huawei.

He feared that Taiwan would be a more sensitive issue than the South China Sea as it benefits the United States and China to keep the international waterways safe for freedom of navigation.

But Taiwan is a more potential flash point. It is the red line that no one should cross, and most Asians know it and “they shut up”, he said, advising Asian countries to continue with this approach.

The Chinese see Taiwan as a renegade province that belongs to China and do not tolerate any moves to push for independence. Most countries adopt a One China policy and have no diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Kishore said for a long time, the United States stayed away from the Taiwan issue, but now it has been broached and “it is not rational, it’s dangerous and emotional”.

But he said Asean could play an influential role to speak up for moderate measures to initiate dialogues between the United States and China and to help reduce tensions that could contribute to possibilities of a war.

He acknowledged that Asean may be “weak and chaotic”, but paradoxically, no one sees the grouping as a threat and its meetings were all attended by the powerful nations.

“Everyone loves Asean. It has convening abilities,” he said, adding that both China and the United States had invested huge amounts there compared to other regions of the world.

China has been the largest market for Asean exports for the past 12 years and Malaysia’s number one trading partner for the past 15 consecutive years, while Asean countries collectively are the United States’ fourth largest trading partner.

Together, they represent a market with a gross domestic product (GDP) of more than US$3 trillion (RM13.38 trillion). US goods and services traded with Asean totalled an estimated US$362.2bil (RM1.62 trillion) in 2020.

Kishore said while the US-China contest may be a gloomy topic, there is also a positive aspect as both sides will woo support and attention, adding that it was good to be courted but reaffirmed that Asean members must stay out of the feud.

“It is said that when elephants fight, the grass gets trampled, but let’s not forget that when elephants make love, it tramples too,’’ he said in jest.

Talk is better than war and for a start, the rhetoric can be lowered down. A deeper rationality is needed and surely, there is a need to accept that the world has changed.

A painful and unnecessary clash needs to be avoided. The journey for both sides to work together has to start soon.

The perennial problem of p-hailing and potholes


Daily risk: A pothole near the entrance of Persiaran Surian from the Damansara-Puchong Highway heading towards Kota Damansara has consistently reappeared over the past few years, posing a threat to passing motorists. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star

THERE are two things drivers in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor have to put up with when they are on the road – reckless food delivery riders, many of whom have no respect for traffic rules, and the countless unsightly potholes.

Almost all of us have accepted the fact that we are the ones who have to watch out for these delivery riders known to beat traffic lights, speed past the line of cars, or emerge out of nowhere right in front of us.

We fully understand that delivery riders are paid according to the number of deliveries they can take each day.

They have become an integral part of our lives and the gig economy has provided jobs to thousands of Malaysians, especially school leavers.

A 2021 news report said there were an estimated 70,000 food delivery riders in Malaysia.

More than 70% of some 500 respondents in a survey admitted to having been involved or injured in accidents, but less than half of them were covered by personal insurance.

Worse, 86.4% of them said they received no help from p-hailing companies if they were involved and got injured in any kind of accident.

In the case of accidents involving these riders, there were a total of 1,242 accidents until May last year.

According to Transport Minister Anthony Loke, out of the total number of accidents, 112 of them were fatal, 82 had severe injuries and 1,048 sustained light injuries.

It’s serious.

Yes, the cumulative trips help to boost their income, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of their personal safety and lives – as well as that of other road users.

There is no reason why they should have to behave recklessly on the road in the name of saving time.

It is heartbreaking to see delivery riders losing lives or limbs on the road. After all, they are merely trying to eke out a living, given that the cost of living in the Klang Valley is surely the highest in the country.

But nobody is listening. Not the delivery riders and certainly there is little enforcement of traffic laws.

The police who set up roadblocks or wave you down are seemingly more interested in checking if you have a valid road tax sticker.

Now, we come to my main grouse. I had to spend a huge sum of money to fix my car after it hit a massive pothole along Persiaran Surian in the upmarket Petaling Jaya area.

I don’t know if I am one of those unlucky ones who have to face an unusually large number of potholes along the routes I take or if other motorists travelling in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor are also at their wits’ end dealing with the same problem!

In my case, I have lost count of the disgraceful sight of such cavities around the Tropicana-Kota Damansara area.

It’s worse along Jalan Tanjung Bandar Utama, where there has been a long dispute over the “ownership” of the road.

Driving towards Brickfields, near Muzium Negara, my tyres inadvertently went into a large pothole. Even in parts of the glitzy Jalan Bukit Bintang area, we face this problem. Why is this so?

To avoid going into these mini craters, we are forced to swerve to the side instantly, but it may mean hitting a nearby vehicle. It is, of course, dangerous.

I am sure most of us remember the bravado remark in October 2021 by then Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who foolishly provided his telephone numbers in the Dewan Rakyat so that people could alert him of potholes in Kuala Lumpur.

He was subsequently quoted as saying that he was so inundated by phone calls that he was unable to answer all of them.

We can only assume what happened to those phone numbers.

Likewise, this applies to all local authorities; the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) which has a hotline, email, and other complaints app.

It’s the same with the Petaling Jaya City Hall.

I have made complaints before about a neighbourhood problem. The complaints were duly registered, but the outcome of the case has never been filtered down.

Those of us in the Klang Valley have become accustomed to making complaints or inquiries that mostly get no responses in the end.

A response in this case is just a record of having received your complaint.

The Works Department also has to shoulder some blame as federal roads come under its jurisdiction.

But the last thing we need is for these agencies to pass the buck to each other while road users suffer.

It is frustrating, but the lack of follow-up or action gives us an indication of how poor our system is.

Let’s not even talk about our elected representatives. They surely know how to locate us during the elections but try looking for them after they have become Yang Berhormat.

MPs and maybe even state assemblymen may tell you they are not councillors and it’s not their job to worry about such menial matters, but these problems make our lives miserable each day!

Here’s another mystery – don’t our politicians and their assistants experience this same problem of potholes and what do they do since they have access to the City Hall and municipal council officers?

Don’t they even report to the respective local authorities as dedicated and concerned politicians who care about our safety and well-being? Or am I just naïve?The rest of us must only rely on the e-aduan apps which seem to ask so many particulars of users before coming to the most important point – the complaint itself.Enough said of the dilapidated conditions of our roads. And please don’t let us delve into other problems such as dirty pavements and the filthy back lanes of Petaling Jaya and other places.

The pothole problem, unfortunately, is not just a Klang Valley issue. Last month, His Majesty, the Sultan of Johor, complained that the pothole-riddled highway in Johor caused the rims of his car to be dented.

Please don’t brag about our having world-class facilities if we cannot even maintain them right.