Author Archives: wcw

The “Powerful” Fallacy Of MCMC

KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) — There is a fallacy that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is so powerful that it has the authority to take down any content that it deems offensive.

Let’s look at some real cases. A desperate father turned to me for help because the former boyfriend of his daughter posted some very private pictures online taken during happier times.

But the man became nasty when the relationship fell apart and it got worse because these photographs suddenly appeared on some pornographic sites.

Reports were made but MCMC ran into obstacles because these foreign social platform owners do not need to act immediately.

Requests were made to the platform’s “mediation and moderation panel’’ which took their time, refusing to reveal identities and citing they had no legal obligation to block anything.

Another case involved another culprit – a former boyfriend who posted pictures of his ex-girlfriend, calling her names and humiliating her online. The case is now pending in court after he was identified.

In my case, a person, known as a serial rabble-rouser, using different identities and accounts, had posted false and defamatory information on several people from his previous place of employment.

He targeted me – using his mother’s mobile phone and picture to open an account under her name to attack me.

Police and MCMC reports were made, prompting the police to pay a visit to his house after his identity was ascertained and his statement taken. The police completed the case and made their recommendations to the prosecutors.

I have no intention to pursue the matter because, religiously, I believe in forgiving. I found out that his grief with me was that I am a friend of his ex-colleagues, which he had a grudge against.

But each day, the police have to take down reports, ranging from scam cheating to cyberbullying, where innocent lives are destroyed through the loss of savings, humiliation and cheating.

No one talks about the victims. These social media platforms, which are making huge sums of money, take no responsibility for the sufferings of ordinary people, have no offices or representatives in Malaysia or are subject to any form of penalty.

For the media, contents created by journalists have all been taken and posted online without proper advertisements being shared with us.

Yes, it is healthy to read and hear Malaysians arguing over the government’s move to propose a new regulatory framework to license social media platforms with at least eight million registered users.

The rule, which will take effect from Jan 1, 2025, has sparked a debate, although the government has said it is to ensure a safer online environment for users.

Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Google Chat), as well as TikTok, Telegram and X (formerly Twitter), must apply for a license from the government.

However, the biggest concern of the rule is that the government's move will affect the freedom of expression, in particular, criticism against the government.

Some see this regulation as a threat and compare it to the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which still needs a one-off permit application for all print newspapers and magazines.

They point out that Malaysia has submitted the world’s highest number of content takedown requests in the second half of 2023.

They have also pointed out that Malaysia’s 2024 World Press Freedom ranking has dropped to 107th from 73rd previously.

What is less said, if not totally ignored, is that 70 per cent of the content removal requests were to stop online gambling and scams.

The MCMC received over 3,400 complaints of hate speech between 2020 and 2023. During the same period, RM3.2 billion was lost to online scams.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil reportedly said that over RM1 billion was lost to online scams last year alone, while not less than 10 cases of cyberbullying were reported daily.

Online gambling is also estimated to cost the government RM2 billion in tax revenue yearly. Some think it could even be as high as RM5 billion annually.

From Jan 1, 2024, to July 13, 2024, data indicated that MCMC had requested 128,133 contents to be taken down, yet only 109,624 of them were removed. Of the total, 53 per cent were related to online gambling, 22 per cent were scams, 13 per cent were false news, five per cent were 3R (royal, race, religion) issues, and another five per cent were harassment.

Many, who only read the English medium social media, may not be aware of the many hate and racist comments that were posted at the height of the KK Mart issue.

They include anonymous postings calling for the wiping up of a certain race in Malaysia as the issue reached a boiling point. Now, we even have religious preachers openly abusing these platforms to advocate hate speeches.

Do we allow all these in the name of press freedom with anonymous writers posting all kinds of concocted information without having to take responsibility for their actions, particularly stealing the hard-earned money of ordinary Malaysians?

Never mind the politicians who come under attack every day. They should be thick-skinned enough to take the heat.

It’s the senior uncles and aunties who need protection from being tricked into believing that they can get some extra income from their depleting savings.

However, there’s also another element of concern – sexual predators posing as kids and targeting minors online.

While there is no specific tagging under paedophilia, the MCMC has received complaints related to online content involving child sexual exploitation.

The breakdown for these related cases is as follows – 77 (2021), 51 (2022), 75 (2023) and 17 (2024, as of July 24) – bringing the cumulative total to 220 cases over the last three years.

For scamming, the numbers are 3,449 (2021), 2,675 (2022), 4,180 (2023) and 2,466 (2024, as of 24 July) with a cumulative total of 12,770.

MCMC commissioner Derek Fernandez said the government’s move “aligns Malaysia with global developments, where regulatory measures are increasingly being implemented to hold these platforms accountable.

“Examples of such global trends include the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which sets out obligations for platforms to limit the spread of illegal content and prohibit targeted ads to minors, and the introduction of similar regulatory frameworks in ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.’’

Fernandez said Malaysia has robust laws in place, including the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998), to address various online harms.

However, these platforms may believe that these laws do not apply to them and are only applicable to local players.

“We are regulating these platforms to uphold the principle of equality before the law. Other industry players, such as broadcasting companies, telecommunications providers, and internet service providers, are all regulated under the CMA 1998,” he said.

Considering the nature of service, significant impact and reach of these platforms on every aspect of Malaysian users' lives, he stressed that it is both imperative and timely that they are regulated under the CMA 1998.

“The proposed licensing framework will require these foreign platforms to register with the MCMC. Upon registration, these platforms will be obligated to comply with our relevant laws, including the CMA 1998 and the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2010,” he said.

Fernandez said the biggest frustration of MCMC is that currently, no legal obligations are mandating these platforms to take proactive measures against online harms.

In fact, he said the proliferation of advertisements for illegal gambling and scams highlights this deficiency.

“Currently, these platforms are not sufficiently incentivized to enhance their operations to combat these issues, as there is no legal requirement compelling them to do so,” he said.

Any companies which want to operate in Malaysia must comply with our local laws, why should there be any exceptions and exemptions?

The fear of regulating these technology providers is simply because of our reliance on their availability and the reluctance of the government to make unpopular decisions.

Taking bold steps for a stronger economy

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) — Bad news travels fast on social media. Good news, however, gets less attention unfortunately.

The ringgit has continued to be the top performing currency in the Asian region compared to the US dollar.

It has made a progressive climb to improve its value, driven by a mix of favourable domestic and external factors.

In short, after a bad spell, the ringgit has been stable and trading below RM4.70 against the greenback for two weeks. The forecast is that the ringgit will be at RM4.60 by the end of the year.

Malaysia has taken the right step to rebuild its external reserves through repatriation and conversion.

The subsidy rationalisation exercise, while politically unpopular and a disadvantage, to the MADANI government is the right thing to do.

It is courageous of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to reduce the subsidy bills, as if ignored, as a populist decision, they would have surely harmed the country’s economy in the long run.

There will never be a right time to carry out such an exercise but with the next general election still three years away and a stable government, this is surely the best window period.

Look at the figures. Putrajaya had allocated RM64 billion for subsidies in 2023 but spent RM81 billion, 26 per cent higher than projected, because of the rise in fuel prices amid the Ukraine-Russia war.

As Anwar rightly said at a dinner organised by the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia on Thursday, although it is economically rational, it is politically difficult.

In May, Anwar said Putrajaya would save around RM4 billion a year with targeted diesel subsidies, which began on June 10.

This saw the price of diesel fixed at RM3.35 per litre in Peninsular Malaysia, with the price maintained at RM2.15 per litre in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

Subsidies are being distributed to those who are eligible through the Budi MADANI initiative and fleet cards under the subsidised diesel control system.

These are not the kind of topics that can hold the audience at a political talk, especially in justifying economic decisions.

Taking rhetorical political swipes and attacking the government would be more entertaining but the huge debt that we have today is, unfortunately, a legacy of the past administrations which refused to tackle them.

The Forbes financial magazine, in an article on July 10, reported that Anwar has rightly carried out many economic decisions.

“On the cost optimisation front, Anwar’s administration undertook the politically challenging task of rationalising subsidies and managing civil service costs.

“Transitioning new civil servants to an Employees Provident Fund scheme — projected to reduce long-term pension costs — was a significant step.

“This move aimed to alleviate the financial burden on the government by shifting future pension liabilities to a more sustainable model,” it reported.

Forbes also pointed out that the administration has expedited foreign direct investment approvals and improve the ease of doing business in Malaysia, with particular reference to high-value sectors such as semiconductor fabrication and digital technology.

A Reuters report on May 17, headlined “Malaysia’s economy grows faster than expected, inflation risks cloud outlook’’, stated that our good performance in the first quarter of 2024 was helped by household spending and a turnaround in exports.

Bloomberg reported on April 19 that “Malaysia’s economy quickened by the most in a year, signalling that firmer recovery is underway in the Southeast Asian nation.”

In the report titled “Malaysia’s Growth Accelerates, Signaling Recovery in 2024,’’ it said that “the growth print suggests Malaysia’s economy is regaining momentum after moderating last year on a tepid global demand.

“The trade-reliant nation is poised to benefit should China — Malaysia’s largest trade partner– continue to build on its surprise strong start. Bank Negara Malaysia expects gross domestic product to expand between four per cent and five per cent this year on improving external demand.”

Let’s hope that the momentum will continue and that we can hear greater details when the annual economic report and Budget are presented in Parliament.

Let’s give credit to the government when it’s due.

An unnecessary brewing issue

For all: Lest we forget, vernacular schools are government-aided and supported. But instead of waiting for handouts from the Education Ministry, Chinese schools engage in a variety of initiatives to raise funds and improve their facilities. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

THE unwavering support of the Chinese community, especially business personalities and education groups, towards Chinese primary schools is well established.

Their actions have removed the burden of the Education Ministry, which is struggling to disperse funds to schools.

Traditional Chinese culture attaches great importance to education as it’s viewed as an essential platform for self-advancement.

Instead of waiting for handouts from the Education Ministry, these schools engage in initiatives to improve their facilities.

School halls are rented out during weekends for badminton, weddings and other functions to generate funds.

The schools and parents also work together to improve their sports facilities and computer labs.

In one report, parents at Chung Kwok Chinese school in Kuala Lumpur even pooled their resources to upgrade the toilets, complete with polished tiles, backlit mirrors, auto-flushing sensors and wood finishes.

It was made possible because some of the parents are interior designers, while the school also received discounted prices on the items from contractors and tile sellers, the report said.

The Chinese community’s perception is that they will never get enough financial support for these schools.

For decades, funds have arrived from business groups as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.

But the biggest fallacy is that breweries donate directly to Chinese schools, which has suddenly become a controversy.

Why should breweries donate directly to schools, which are not even their customers? That accusation simply doesn’t make sense.

The brouhaha began when Selangor PAS deputy commissioner Sabirin Marsono questioned a Chinese school in Sepang for hosting a charity performance and fundraising event which involved a beer company’s sponsorship.

His target appeared to be Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu, who was present at the event.

The MP for Sepang is also a member of Amanah, a splinter party of PAS. She even pledged a RM10,000 donation to the Chinese primary school.

It’s a different story when breweries sponsor dinners and support groups such as clan associations, parents-teachers association or old-boys alumni, which contribute to these schools.

PAS is probably unaware that during the annual Hungry Ghost festival, many dinners will be hosted, which would also see millions of ringgit being raised for charity, including helping needy students and schools.

As with Chinese dinners, beer and liquor are usually served. Very often, beer is sold to raise funds. So, let’s not make an issue of this.

It’s not just schools that benefit but also Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Hospital’s development in Kampar, Perak, which reportedly gained from fundraising events supported by breweries.

Over 500 schools across Malaysia have received more than RM100mil since the “Tiger Chinese Education Charity Concert” programme started in 1994.

Last week, Tiger Beer said the company had never given donations to schools, claiming that its recent school fundraiser only involved performances by local artistes at the concert organised by the contributors.

It said it was confined to the school’s parent-teacher association and board of directors.

In fact, the Chinese Education Charity Concert (CECC) has been around for 30 years, and its mission is to be a platform to help the community raise funds to upgrade facilities at Chinese schools in need.

So, why is PAS suddenly upset with these charitable efforts, which are held in restaurants, Chinese associations and community halls?

It’s not news, and PAS incredulously wonders why most non-Muslim voters won’t support the Islamist party in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.

Then, there’s hot head Umno Youth leader, Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who has waded into this issue, forgetting that he represents a racially mixed state constituency in Melaka.

The beer industry, including Heineken and Carlsberg, contributes over RM2.2bil in taxes annually. Common sense would indicate the taxes benefit other Malaysians as well, and not merely non-Muslims.

During the Covid-19 movement control order (MCO), Heineken Malaysia donated basic food items to B40 communities to help vulnerable families of all religions and races to cope with limited income, while Carlsberg Malaysia donated thermometers and disinfection products to thousands of primary schools throughout Malaysia.

Over the years, the breweries have contributed over RM160mil towards promoting education, protecting the environment and advocating responsible consumption.

On Friday, the Cabinet decided that it would consider allowing vernacular schools to receive funds through its board of directors and foundation, including from activities involving alcohol brands.

The Education Ministry stated that the stand had been the practice of several administrations without dispute.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the event in question was for a charity concert and not a direct donation to the school, adding that it was organised by the school’s parent-teacher association and the school board.

Then, there’s the gaming industry, in particular, number forecasting operators (NFO), which also contributes billions of ringgit in taxes to the country.

More taxes could have been collected, but the gaming industry has been paying less since PAS began gaining more power at state and federal levels.

The winners are the illegal gaming operators, who are in cahoots with criminals and probably corrupt enforcement officials, too, as it is estimated the government loses about RM5bil in taxes.

According to a 2022 news report in The Edge, the operations of gaming companies, NFOs and breweries contributed RM1.86bil in income taxes in the previous two financial years.

Let’s not forget that Sports Toto contributes substantially to the National Sports Council for the development of sports in the country. It also supports the initiatives of numerous community and charity organisations.

It was reported that the Confederation of Malaysian Brewers Bhd alone generated RM3.7bil in taxes, profits and salaries, which is equivalent to 0.3% of the country’s gross domestic product.

About 20% of students in all Chinese schools across the country in 2024 are non-Chinese, a figure up from about 12% in 2020.

Mandarin is an economic language and with China becoming a superpower, Malaysians of all races understand why we need to master Mandarin – just like we know the importance of Bahasa Malaysia as our national language and English as an international language.

There’s no need to fear Chinese schools or make them political scapegoats because it only constitutes six years of basic primary education, where maths and science are prioritised, before students graduate to normal secondary schools.

Lest we forget, these vernacular schools are government-aided and supported.

Well, can the politicians who continue to pick on Chinese education and schools dare say that the Chinese community need not have to continue fundraising because these schools will be allocated an equal amount of money as other schools?

The biggest problem in Malaysia today isn’t Chinese or Tamil vernacular schools but politicians who brew racial and religious sentiments and intoxicate us with their poisonous rhetoric.

Crossing the red line

Heavy consequences: We should not be too quick to condemn and pass judgement, or worse, bully someone on social media. — 123rf

FREEDOM of speech has been taken for a ride recently on social media under the guise of ignorance. Many people think they can say and write whatever they want with impunity.

However, this privilege doesn’t equate to the luxury of slandering or defaming others.

Targeted parties also have their rights and can exercise them when unproven accusations and even innuendoes are made about them.

Everyone in the media, including social influencers and their followers who post nasty messages, are governed by the law.

Most of us in mainstream media have been sued at one point or another. We’re often picked on because the grieving parties, and their lawyers, assume our companies can pay.

Despite these established media outlets having fulltime legal officers and editors who handle these demands, slip-ups still occur.

News portals receive lighter retribution because they’re deemed to have a smaller audience and are less likely able to pay up, although this no longer rings true.

Some of these portals are run by young editors with no training in legal rules, or even journalism fundamentals, unlike their more experienced and older counterparts in mainstream media who began their careers on the court beat.

We were educated on terms like defamation, libelous, slander, summons, statement of claims, affidavits, case management, sub judice, ultra vires, among others, from day one as reporters.

But much has changed in the media sphere. Many editors who clear copies have minimal knowledge of the legal system, so the prospect of letting through stories that infringe on defamation laws is real.

Reporters are now able to skip the court and crime beats, which are often viewed as the most mundane and graveyard-shift gigs. Being called on at odd hours isn’t necessarily fun, but many of us started from the bottom, and we like the crime beat.

I’ve done my tour of duty visiting police stations, crime scenes, fires, hospitals, morgues and even delivering bad news of deceased victims as a young reporter.

But now, online news portals – which includes the mainstream media – have the comments section.

The most seditious, defamatory and racist comments are freely posted in some of these portals. It’s near impossible to moderate these discussions since comments are posted around the clock.

These are genuine news portals, but then, there are also social influencers who draw a different audience. They may be a one-person operation, but their reach runs into the millions.

They probably have greater impact than some mainstream news portals, and the world wide web is a free-for-all space.

But it can have deadly consequences, too. Social media influencer A. Rajeswary, better known as Esha, used her Tik Tok platform to review cosmetics.

It sounds innocent as it was not even political or religious in nature, but it turned lethal when she was taunted by cyberbullies with threats of gang rape and physical violence, which drove her to suicide.

The nation is outraged that the penalty was a paltry RM100 fine imposed on private nursing homeowner Shalini Periasamy after she pleaded guilty in a Magistrate’s Court for deliberately uttering vulgarities with the intention to incite anger and disturb peace through her Tik Tok account, an offence under the Minor Offences Act.

She got away with a slap on the wrist probably because the case was the first involving cyber bullying and there are no specific laws for it yet.

The culprit walked out of court with a smirk on her face, seemingly indifferent to her grave act.

Esha was found dead in a condominium unit in Setapak on July 5, a day after lodging a report at the Dang Wangi police station over threats made against her.

The first accused, lorry driver B. Sathiskumar, pleaded guilty to a charge of posting lewd comments on Tik Tok. He claimed trial to a second charge of posting lewd comments with the intention of outraging the modesty of Esha’s mother, PR Puspa, 56, on the same day.

Then, there’s the case involving HRD Corp, which has made national news.

It’s common practice for the media to report on the findings of the Auditor General’s Report and the Public Accounts Committee. Most of the weaknesses and alleged conducts of mismanagement and malpractices are reported by these two bodies, and naturally, the media would go to town with it as they detail the reports.

The media has the right to question and cite cases of alleged violations of improper governance as it involves public money. No one should be able to stop the media.

Many questions have surfaced with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission forming a task force to investigate elements of crime while an independent auditor has also been hired to dig deeper.

Reporting the findings of the AG and PAC would be the easy and safe way, but many media commentators also want to have their say because the case is of public interest, and the people deserve to know more.

But there are also those who hide behind anonymity and escape punishment with their innuendoes and accusations, while some news portals have received demand letters from HRD Corp.

Accusations of “stealing people’s money,” “dubious” and “bloody thieves” in commentaries, however, risk the writers being sued, as those implicated can defend their integrity.

These words cast aspersions on the people implicated when they haven’t even been charged with any offence.

None of these words were used by the AG and PAC, as they have merely raised issues on possible mismanagement and short-sightedness on the part of HRD Corp, but Human Resources Minister Steven Sim has asked HRD Corp to drop the legal letters since no one in the media should be pressured on their reporting.

Defamation actions are costly and time-consuming exercises, and all parties hate going to court because it takes ages to resolve. Most parties eventually find a settlement with an apology and financial agreement.

By then, the public has already lost interest in the case and the aggrieved parties have cooled down.

For old-fashioned journalists trained to be cautious and mindful of the laws, we’re becoming a rarity, and could possibly be dismissed in the digital age where anything and everything is done to increase clicks and followers.

I’m still finding it difficult to understand how there can be “likes” with the thumbs-up emoji about news of someone who has died, sometimes in a terrible way even.

Our Federal Court has ruled that the publisher – a media company or a person who owns a social media account – is responsible for the comments posted. Basically, if the comments are defamatory or seditious, you can be sued and also be hauled up by the authorities.

However, tracing anonymous readers can be a nightmare if these online publishers need to protect themselves.

There’s a lesson to be learnt from Esha’s tragic death. Her demise shouldn’t be forgotten, and laws need to evolve to remain relevant in the digital age.

No one should be cyberbullied over social media, or even allow a narrative to be created by political and religious operatives who can individually run thousands and even millions of accounts.

Unfortunately, many of us are quick to condemn and pass judgement, and worse, bully someone on social media without thinking of the consequences.

Acting against these online violators isn’t an infringement on the freedom of speech, and our prosecutors shouldn’t take these cases lightly after the police have completed their investigations. Accountability is imperative.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE 17TH KING OF MALAYSIA

By Maizatul Jamny Muhammad Rosli

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) — As the Installation Ceremony of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim as the 17th King of Malaysia is swiftly approaching, the nation looks forward to honouring the new monarch while fostering a profound interest in getting to know him better.

In an exclusive interview, Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai shed some lights on His Majesty’s multifaceted persona and unwavering commitment to his people as he shared personal anecdotes and insights into the personal and professional relationship with Sultan Ibrahim.

Despite initial reservations about meeting a reputedly stern ruler, Wong discovered a different side of Sultan Ibrahim at their first encounter.

“His Majesty was pleasant, candid, and frank. I never felt intimidated,” recalls Wong of their first meeting at Istana Bukit Serene in March 2015, where Sultan Ibrahim, clad in a sky-blue linen shirt, welcomed an open dialogue.

Their subsequent discussions covered various topics, including Johor's economic potential and the role of royalty in modern governance.

Beyond his public image, Wong said Sultan Ibrahim deeply cares for the people as he continuously emphasises unity among Malaysians of all races and faiths, and vehemently opposes extremism, advocating instead harmony and solidarity.

Sharing further, Wong said Sultan Ibrahim’s approach to leadership continues to resonate deeply with those who know him intimately. Renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, state government leaders and civil servants under his purview are expected to uphold high standards of preparedness, reflecting his intolerance for inefficiency.

Despite a reputation for his strict demeanour, Sultan Ibrahim demonstrates a compassionate nature through various acts of kindness. From promptly assisting Orang Asli fishermen in need to personally inspecting flood-affected areas, his hands-on approach has earned him admiration and respect.

Wong added His Majesty is also known for his humility and often enjoys simple pleasures like having nasi lemak and coffee at local eateries after the Subuh prayers.

“So, it was no surprise that to mark his first official birthday as the King recently, he chose to have his breakfast of nasi lemak at Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

Adding further, Wong also revealed a lesser-known facet of His Majesty’s personality that could surprise many Malaysians – a keen sense of humour and a talent for delivering jokes.

Another inspiring trait of the 17th King of Malaysia, according to Wong, is that His Majesty is a fair man who is deeply concerned with the views of the rakyat and prepared to hear views of all kinds.

“It will be grossly unfair to His Majesty if he only gets positive views and hidden from certain things. Believe me, he will find out. His Majesty has his pulse on many things. The King is also a straight-talking person, no beating around the bush,” he added.

Besides that, Wong said Sultan Ibrahim is multi-talented as he is also the only Ruler who has a license to drive a train as well as fly a helicopter and carry out parachute jumps.

“Sultan Ibrahim is also known to have massive private collection of cars, from vintage ones dating back in the 1890s to the latest models and exotic cars. He is certainly passionate about cars. He knows the mechanics of cars too,” he said.

However, Wong said, despite Sultan Ibrahim’s ‘soft’ side, the King is very serious when it comes to corruption as His Majesty has openly expressed his commitment to fighting any graft misconduct in the country.

He said His Majesty also wanted to revive the pride and prestige of the government’s pillars, namely the judiciary, the Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“His Majesty is very well informed. When he said he has ears and eyes everywhere to keep him informed, believe me, it’s true,” Wong said, adding that Sultan Ibrahim is very versed in business matters and keen to boost the country’s economy.

Looking forward, Wong said Sultan Ibrahim’s vision for Malaysia is clear – to see a united nation free from extremism, with bolstered economic stability and ethical governance.

Inspired by his father, the late Sultan Iskandar, Sultan Ibrahim strives to uphold a legacy of discipline, service and integrity.

As the installation ceremony approaches, Wong also expresses hopes that Sultan Ibrahim would reinforce the need for peace, racial harmony and a resilient economy under his stewardship.

Reflecting on Sultan Ibrahim’s character, Wong summed it up in one word – discipline – a fitting tribute to a monarch poised to lead Malaysia into a promising future.

Sultan Ibrahim took the oath and signed the instrument of office as the 17th King of Malaysia on Jan 31.

The installation ceremony is scheduled for July 20.

— BERNAMA

Not just a ceremonial King

Sultan Ibrahim cares deeply and is also a man of action who wants to get things done.

THE perception of many Malaysians who have never met His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, is this: He is stern and fierce.

I thought the same before I was granted an audience with Tuanku a decade ago. A mutual friend arranged for me to meet His Majesty, who wanted to better understand how the media operated.

I was reluctant at first, but my friend insisted that I go, assuring me that he would accompany me to the palace.

Tuanku wanted to find out why the national media, all based in Kuala Lumpur, only focused on the Klang Valley and Penang, and not much on Johor.

Tuanku also wanted me to tell him – frankly and candidly – what the people thought of him and his state.

“Ask me anything you want and say anything you want,” His Majesty said as the conversation started. I took that as the green light to express myself freely.

Tuanku listened patiently, not interrupting my remarks, and then replied to every question and comment, factually. Never once did His Majesty raise his voice.

Sultan Ibrahim was pleasant, candid, even humorous at times, and certainly not intimidating. I was totally surprised.

But I reminded Tuanku that this was not an interview, adding that I hoped Tuanku would grant me one.

His Majesty graciously met me again on March 15, 2015, and I had my first sit-down interview at Istana Bukit Serene in the Johor capital.

Over the last 10 years, I have had the privilege and honour to have many interviews with His Majesty.

I have also met Tuanku informally regularly as he shared his thoughts on various issues and advice for me, and the media.

Indeed, I have been very blessed to be able to meet Tuanku up close and personal.

If there is one topic that he treasures greatly, it is the importance of unity among the people, especially Bangsa Johor.

Sultan Ibrahim is without doubt and question the symbol of unity and this means for Malaysians of all races and religions.

Tuanku has consistently said that there is no room for extremism, and His Majesty walks the talk by turning up to join in the festivities organised by the rakyat of all faiths.

Sultan Ibrahim cares deeply for the people.

Royal insights: Sultan Ibrahim speaking to Star Media Group adviser and Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai (right) and The Star’s Johor bureau chief Nelson Benjamin, during Wong’s (then SMG CEO) first and exclusive interview with His Majesty at Istana Bukit Serene in Johor Baru on March 15, 2015.

From day one, Sultan Ibrahim has continuously emphasised the need for people of all races to unite.

His Majesty is a very detailed man. State government leaders and civil servants who have dealings with him are expected to be well-prepared as Tuanku has no tolerance for sloppy work and also has a sharp memory.

And while he is both feared and respected, His Majesty is a kind person.

I know of Orang Asli fishermen who waited outside his residence to ask for help in attaining boat engines. When His Majesty heard about it, Tuanku directed his people to see to helping the community immediately.

His Majesty helped countless groups of people during the Covid-19 period three years ago.

During the flood episodes, Sultan Ibrahim would take a boat out to assess the situation.

His Majesty is comfortable sitting at a warung having nasi lemak and coffee after sembahyang subuh. So, it was no surprise that His Majesty had opted to have nasi lemak for breakfast in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, to mark his first official birthday as the King recently.

It may surprise many, but Tuanku has a keen sense of humour. In fact, Sultan Ibrahim is very good at telling jokes. It is something that the staff at Istana Negara have pleasantly found out.

Sultan Ibrahim is the first King that I know who spoke so strongly against corruption. He openly expressed his wish to fight the scourge of corruption. His Majesty is serious and determined.

Tuanku is very well-informed too. When Sultan Ibrahim says he has his eyes and ears everywhere, believe me, it is true.

His Majesty wants to revive the pride and prestige of the pillars of government, namely the judiciary, police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

As Tuanku is very well-versed in business and financial matters, he is also extremely keen on boosting the country’s economy.

Sultan Ibrahim sees great potential in Johor as the state is the only one close to Singapore and Batam, Indonesia. No one should be surprised if His Majesty is seen to be impatient to get things moving.

Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Shariff, the longest serving chief police officer in Johor from 2008 to 2015, described the King as a power of legitimacy and authority, and a symbol of stability and unity.

“He cares deeply. His Majesty’s instruction to me as then CPO was simple – to keep Johor safe for the people and investors. There are ramifications and consequences, remember, for the economy, especially investments,” the former Bukit Aman narcotics director recalls.

Mohd Mokhtar said Tuanku took great care of the welfare of the force, by using his own money to buy motorcycles for policemen to go on patrols.

“Sultan Ibrahim even bought caravans to be converted into mobile police beats because Tuanku wanted the police presence to be seen and felt,” he added.

He described Sultan Ibrahim as “stern but forgiving” and that Tuanku had zero tolerance for extremism.

“His message was to nip any kind of extremism in the bud. No racial issues of any kind,” he shared.

Sultan Ibrahim is also a straight-talking person who doesn’t beat around the bush and enjoys going to the ground to see things for himself.

He is the only Ruler who goes to every district in his state to meet and personally hear grievances of the rakyat through his annual Kembara royal motorcycle tour.

Not many people are aware that at Istana Negara, His Majesty’s series of meetings and audiences start at 9am on the dot.

That means every Istana official is ready before 9am and Tuanku is particularly punctual.

And what kind of King will Sultan Ibrahim be?

His Majesty would reinforce the need for peace, racial unity, harmony and solidarity; bring political stability and economic progress; spur the civil service to boost efficiency and service; and rid the country of corruption.

His Majesty will not just be a ceremonial King. Sultan Ibrahim is a man of action.

Biting the bullet

Malaysians have remained happy with cheap diesel, petrol, cooking oil, flour, rice, and other food items, but the bill has now gone out of control. — AFP

THIS is obviously poor timing for the head of government of any country since they must all deal with the rising cost of living that has affected people across the globe for the past few years.

Voters in democracies are angry with politicians and have displayed their disillusionment by dismissing their governments.

Although hardly the best option, right wing parties have been voted in across Europe, and Donald Trump potentially getting re-elected in the United States should no longer be shocking.

Daily news reports abound about protests against sharp price increases of food items, new taxes – which in Kenya even included an eventually scrapped bread tax. Rocketing inflation rates are hogging just as many newsbytes.

The World Economic Forum reported that one in four adults in 11 developed countries is struggling with financial issues. In Britain, one in seven adults can’t afford to eat every day.

The sad truth is the Russia-Ukraine War has detrimentally impacted the world as food production and distribution have taken a beating, leading to a global crisis in the cost of living. Ukraine is one of the world’s top agricultural producers and exporters, especially of oilseed and grains.Forbes reported that the rising cost of living remains a prominent concern across the United States with surveys indicating that Americans rank inflation as one of the top problems facing their country. As prices continue to soar in nearly every aspect of life, from groceries to transportation to housing, it seems sticky inflation has a hand in everything.

Closer to home, Singapore is the most expensive city to live in in Asean, and even the world, with a score of 85.9 out of 100 on Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index. It’s on par with Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Unless Malaysians working in Singapore are willing to commute daily from Johor Baru, their hard-earned income will invariably go to expensive rental and basic commodities on the island.

There’s a difference between the cost of living and living standards. Waking up at 4am daily to get ready to cross the Strait of Johor is surely the best option if one has nothing else to choose from.

Living in a tiny flat in HK, Singapore or Tokyo isn’t a high standard of living, but owning a landed property with several rooms, two cars or more, and a maid, in KL or JB, is certainly a good living, even with lower wages.But for many Malaysians living on RM2,000 to RM5,000 in KL with families to feed, it’s a genuine struggle.

Ahead of Budget 2025, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged that the rising cost of living is still present and affecting the public, although he said oil, flour and sugar were relatively cheaper.

When Anwar took office as PM in 2022, he announced that his primary focus would be the cost of living and a slowing economy.Anwar’s commitment shouldn’t be doubted, but two years later, it must be apparent to him that it’s not easy dealing with those issues since voters are now displaying their unhappiness towards his Madani government.

For decades, Malaysia’s inflation rate has been kept artificially low because of heavy subsidies from the government.

Malaysians have remained happy with cheap diesel, petrol, cooking oil, flour, rice, and other food items, but the bill has now gone out of control.

The price of diesel has gone up as the government cuts subsidies, which has caused much consternation.

The reality is the subsidy bill alone has risen 10-fold from RM1.4bil in 2019 to RM14.3bil in 2023.The government reduced its subsidy payout last month to save about RM4bil annually, with the savings expected to be redirected to low-income groups.

But I doubt low-income Malaysians who are struggling to put food on the table care for the government’s subsidy rationalisation exercise.

It may be the right thing to do by the Madani government, but not many are going to be convinced.

Of course, Anwar could take the easy way out by allowing the subsidy bill to balloon, but that would do this country a great injustice.

An adjustment in the RON95 subsidy is anticipated in the coming months after the impact of the diesel subsidy cuts has been assessed.Bernama reported that the adjustment was expected to be small, like the retail pricing of diesel fuel, quoting the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research executive director Anthony Dass.

“We need to look at the impact of the diesel subsidy rationalisation, so we probably need to give it a three- to six-month grace period. We need to look at the impact analysis first, and how the people are adjusting. From that, the government can make the next adjustment to the RON 95 [petrol subsidy],” Dass said.

The price adjustment for RON 95 petrol is expected to come into effect “closer to October” as this would give the government more time to look at the impact analysis, he added.

However, the RM8bil in savings from fuel subsidies may only be realised next year, depending on the quantum and duration of the fuel price adjustment. More could also be saved if the RON 95 subsidy rationalisation happens this year, according to a TA Securities report.

We can expect another round of political criticisms with the replay of past populist promises by government leaders to reduce the price of oil after forming the next government.

It’s always easy for politicians to make wild promises when in the Opposition, but reality bites when they’re in government. Talk is cheap, goes the adage.

There are also legacy issues inherited by the Madani government – the government has repaid RM13.3bil of 1MDB’s debt so far.“As at Dec 31, 2021, 1MDB’s outstanding debt, comprising principal and coupons/profit for bonds and Sukuk, amounted to RM38. 81 billion,” said Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz in 2022.

The recovered money from 1MDB is only enough to pay off the principal amount of the debt still owed by the firm this year.

1MDB raised billions of dollars in bonds, ostensibly for investment projects and joint ventures, between 2009 and 2013.

Basically, while billions have been stolen from 1MDB, Malaysia must still settle its debts!

Imagine how much of these billions could have been used to pay our subsidy bills, build schools, hospitals, homes and rail links.

It will not be easy to explain the necessity for subsidy rationalisation, the impact of US Fed interest rates on the ringgit, and the long-haul cost of 1MDB to our economy at ceramahs, yet all of us will have to grin and bear it.

There’s no rosy picture and a miracle isn’t looming either. The government needs to boost its communications strategy urgently as perception is everything in politics. Likewise, communication.

Lessons from Malaysia’s Silver State

Deep insight: Globalization: Perak’s Rise, Relative Decline, and Regeneration.

IT’S an honest book. Not many people, especially if they come from Perak, wish to talk so openly and frankly about the decline of the state after the collapse of the tin mining industry.

His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Shah, preferred to use the word “relative decline’’ in his recently released book.

But for many of us, since the construction of the North-South Highway in 1981, we have chosen to bypass Ipoh.

Figuratively speaking, despite its city status, Ipoh is a two-street town. The other districts, which one would only see when using the trunk road, are in a more sorry state, with many shophouses empty, abandoned or occupied by older folks.

Many of us have seen the difference in the old Ipoh and the continued prosperity of the state, and Ipoh, even until the late 1970s.

The Asia-Europe Institute, Universiti Malaya in its review of the book, traced the early rise of Perak, describing how the invention of the tin can transformed food packaging and preservation in many industrialised countries, driving demand for tinplate.

“As international shipping costs fell, deep-lode and costly Cornish tin deposits came under pressure in British and international markets from easily accessible sources in Australia, Banka in the Dutch East Indies and then Perak.

“As the sun started to set on the Cornish tin industry in the late 19th century, Perak and other parts of Malaya tapped Cornish mining expertise and capital, helping to propel the fortunes of its fledgling mining industry,’’ it added.

Unfortunately, Perak was slow to respond and has fallen behind states like Penang, Selangor and Johor.

During the Covid-19 period, the Ruler of Perak decided to use the time to carry out intensive research on Perak – the loss of its prosperity, the impact of globalisation and what could possibly be done to make Perak as the comeback state.

In short, it is not only to recognise and accept that Perak has lost out to other states, but also to explore solutions.

The result is a 565-page book titled Globalization: Perak’s Rise, Relative Decline, and Regeneration, published by Oxford University Press. The book was launched last week.

The book begins by analysing the impact of globalisation on Perak over the past two centuries, tracing its legacy of colonialism, rise to prominence, struggles with rapid globalisation, increasing centralisation of colonialism, migration of talented Perakians, and finally, proposes the answers for regeneration.

It says Perak’s tin industry, which had largely defined its economy, population, and social organisation, steadily waned, and by the early 1990s had faded into insignificance.

“After independence, Perak fared less favourably than other Malaysian states, despite entering nationhood as one of the country’s wealthiest and most urbanised states.

“Its continued heavy reliance on exports of natural resources and its exposure to swings in global demand and competing sources of supply of tin and rubber, saw it start to trail some of the peninsula’s other states, which benefited more from the globalisation of manufacturing industry,’’ the Asia-Europe Institute says in its review of the book.

By 1985, the tin industry had ground to a halt, and so had Perak. Many smaller towns remained stagnant, resembling ghost towns with limited capacity to attract new industries and retain population.

However, the situation is not unique to Perak. As the Asia-Europe Institute wrote, “the fallout from the tin collapse was felt globally. In the UK, the surviving high-cost Cornish mines closed.

“In Perak, as elsewhere in Malaysia, tin mining companies struggled to survive, and its tin towns were economically and socially devastated, causing widespread suffering with the loss of jobs and incomes among mine workers, their families, and their communities.”

However, it has not all been the end of Perak. In absolute terms, Perak’s economy gradually became much more prosperous, productive, and diversified.

The review says all communities are now “more urbanised, have far higher real (inflation-adjusted) incomes, and are living much longer lives than their parents’ generation. Incomes are distributed more evenly, and the absolute poverty rate has tumbled”.

That is why His Royal Highness used the term “relative decline’’ to describe the economic status of Perak.

Perakians have enjoyed higher standards of living over the past three decades since 1990, benefiting from its economic growth. Statistics show that these benefits have been shared across all population groups in the state.

By 2020, Perakians living in a median income household were almost four times as well off in real terms as 30 years earlier.

But its biggest problem is that Perak has not progressed as much as Penang, Selangor and Johor, experiencing slower structural transformation, while these states advanced rapidly in industrial development.

Penang, for example, had already set up a free-trade zone as early as 1970, and started setting up assembly plants, where jobs were created on a large scale, attracting workers from neighbouring states, including Perak.

Penang has gone up in value as it has become the centre for making semiconductor microchips.

“As gaps in incomes and job opportunities with neighbouring states widened, Perak began to lose population. A negative-feedback loop has been created in which a shrinking base of human capital has narrowed economic opportunities and has propagated further out-migration of the talent that the state so badly needs,’’ the institute adds.

Perak began to start relying on the export of agricultural and manufactured goods, tourism and education but this was not sufficient.

Sultan Nazrin Shah has compared Perak with the town of Cornwall in Britain and Pittsburgh in the United States.

Cornwall’s last operational tin mine closed in 1998, leaving it as one of the poorest counties. Between 1961 and 2011, it had one of the highest levels of migration in Britain, but Cornwall has worked hard to rebrand itself.

It has a university with research strengths in engineering, sciences and renewable energy, through the University of Exeter’s branch campus in west Cornwall, and mining companies have begun exploring for lithium and copper.

“Perak needs to find new sources of revenue, and to be granted greater fiscal authority to allow it to set a higher proportion of taxes locally, enabling it to fund locally determined development priorities.

“Once it has achieved this breakthrough, Perak would consider introducing investment incentives for environmentally safe mineral exploration using advanced technologies, to make abandoned tin mines productive again, and to discover new mineral deposits similar to Cornwall’s approach,’’ Tuanku writes.

Pittsburgh, in the late 19th century, produced steel to build railway tracks and it was further boosted by the discovery of coal, and the town began to prosper. But its economy, too, declined in 1980.

However, the key political and economic sectors responded aggressively after the collapse of steel production and coal mining. Pittsburgh responded with investment in training and re-training of the workforce to adapt to technologies through its local universities and research centres.

Sultan Nazrin Shah has called for a “New Vision for Perak”, envisioning a future shaped by global forces with an inclusive development agenda aimed at propelling Perak towards renewed prosperity, or “at least on a par with leading Malaysian states”.

His proposed strategy includes five key blocks: ensuring efficient and transparent institutions; rebuilding human capital and increasing employability; investing in global gateways; leveraging and enhancing Perak’s spectacular natural and historical assets; and decentralising more revenue-raising and decision-making powers to Perak.

“Promoting inclusion must remain a key objective within all of these, including providing all communities with equitable access to opportunities and social protection,’’ Sultan Nazrin Shah says.

It’s a lengthy book, which is academic in nature, but it should be compulsory reading, not only for all leaders in Perak, but also for policymakers as well as the general population, on how Malaysia should be ready for transformation, or pay the price for neglect and stagnation.

It’s a wake-up call for our politicians who spend their time feuding and embroiled in toxic politics. The world doesn’t wait for us.

Sweat and sweet

United in sports: The Olympic rings in the Place du Trocadéro in Paris. Malaysians of all races will be looking forward to seeing the country’s contingent marching into the stadium come July 26. — ANN JEA/Wikimedia Commons

I CAN’T wait for the Olympic Games in Paris to begin. Like for many people around the world, and not just in Malaysia, most of us are sick of feuding politicians as well as leaders who’re clueless about retirement.

At least the sporting spectacle offers temporary respite as we shift our attention elsewhere during that 17-day period.

Political toxicity is suffocating us, yet we’re guilty of our obsession with politics.

If there’s a gold medal for the most daily political messages on social media, Malaysia could earn a good haul in Paris.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, there is none, but we’ll cheer our Malaysian team on in Paris for good reason.

It will be a showcase of athletic prowess and sportsmanship, excellence, friendship, and respect. The Games will also be a tapestry of cultures, and a display of diversity and unity.

The competition aside, we all look forward to the roll call of the countries, when most athletes will appear decked in their colourful traditional costumes and bearing flags at the opening and closing ceremonies. It often feels like humanity is still intact with the joy brought about by the sight of people on this planet coming together.

For Malaysians, we always wait with bated breath for our contingent to march into the stadium as we attempt to identify our athletes.

Regardless of our races and religions, we’re consumed by pride at the sight of our team and the Jalur Gemilang.

Simply put, sports brings people together. We rally behind our Harimau Malaya emotionally each time they take to the pitch.

But we also respect our competitors. Rivalry brings out the best during competition. And it’s not about foul play or destruction, either. That’s why the players of competing teams shake hands before and after matches.

Likewise, our Malaysian football league not only provides the best footballing entertainment from each state but is also a platform for the best talent to be spotted and earn selection for the national team.

With the Olympics, there are three important elements. In Latin, they are citius (faster), altius (higher), and fortius (stronger), all expressions of excellence in sports.

But as Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee said, “We can go faster, we can only aim higher, we can only become stronger by standing together – in solidarity.”

I’m a hardcore Arsenal supporter, and I can’t stand the sight of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs. But I won’t condone any form of hooliganism, thuggery, or violence against them. Rivalry must never get out of hand.

There’s another area of interest which always brings people together, and that is music. It creates a sense of shared experience and emotional connection, as one report quoting researchers revealed.

It said when people listen to music together or dance to it, they feel a sense of unity and belonging, and that music can serve as a source of hope and healing, especially in times of conflict and reconciliation.

Michael Jackson’s Heal The World and its call to make the world a better place has certainly conveyed that message to the world more effectively than all the heads of states put together.

The 1991 hit song is steeped in antiwar lyrics and Jackson’s hope for humanity’s betterment, a theme that has remained relevant. It can also be viewed from the perspective of saving the world from environmental destruction.

I get goose pimples each time I hear Ella’s Standing In The Eyes Of The World, which makes me feel enormously proud to be Malaysian.

It was chosen as the theme song for the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, but that patriotic song has remained pertinent to remind all of us to unite as Malaysia.

Sheila has always managed to bring all Malaysians, regardless of their races, together at her sold-out concerts. — Handout

Sheila Majid – my all-time favourite Malaysian singer – has successfully managed to bring all Malaysians, regardless of their races, together at her sold-out concerts. It’s such a joy to see multiracial Malaysia under one roof.

Malaysia’s favourite son, Sudirman Hj Arshad had that same innate ability, and his famous Chow Kit concert in Kuala Lumpur in 1986 stands the test of time as one of those glorious moments of wholesome unity in Malaysian history.

Sudirman’s famous free concert on Chow Kit Road, Kuala Lumpur, on April 15, 1986, drew some 100,000 fans of all races. — Filepic/The Star

While few Malaysian artistes have been able to generate that kind of emotion, the Alleycats, a non-Malay band which sings Malay songs, is certainly cut from the same cloth.

The recently concluded Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak has become an important date in the calendar of global music as an annual celebration of culture, music and nature.

Bravo to the Sarawak state government for hosting this festival, which has brought together various cultures from around the world to Malaysia to showcase their music and heritage.

In Selangor and Penang, the Japanese embassy and its community must be commended for observing the annual Bon Odori festival.

The event, which began as an understated affair in 1977 for Japanese expatriates to immerse their children in their culture, has today become a much-awaited annual celebration for over 30,000 people, one report said.

Then, in 2022, the PAS leadership issued a directive to Muslims to keep clear of the Japanese cultural fiesta in Shah Alam. However, the Sultan of Selangor, as the head of Islam in the state, ordered the festival to proceed and even instructed state religious department officials to attend.

That’s what happens when politics comes into play, and it’s worse when religion is used as a reason.

PAS was upset when Coldplay played in Kuala Lumpur last November, even though the group is known for its pro-Palestinian stand — the Islamist party’s grouse is the British band’s pro- LGBTQ stand. Thankfully, no one gave two hoots to PAS as the band played to a full house at the National Stadium.

If that’s the PAS argument, it’s going to be hard finding a Western artiste that’s not similarly aligned because in the countries they come from, it’s politically correct to adopt that stand.

Going by PAS logic, their leaders won’t even be meeting world leaders such as Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who is openly gay, and many heads of states and governments, including those from Andorra, Belgium, France, Iceland, Ireland and Luxembourg. Looks like PAS leaders will only meet their counterparts from the Taliban, which is all that’s left.

Bruno Mars has now found himself in a pickle for his expression of love for his Israeli fans during his two-day concert in Tel Aviv last October.

He reportedly said he loved Tel Aviv, but some social media users have interpreted that as an endorsement of Zionists, unaware that there are also secular and Muslim Arabs with Israeli passports.

His concert in KL scheduled for September has received mixed reactions, with calls for him to make his stand known.

It’s currently not a bed of roses for musicians, but if Mars finally performs here, it’s certain he will say “I love Kuala Lumpur” and “let’s make some noise KL”, which are the standard rallying calls used by all foreign musicians, even if they don’t really mean it.

But, of course, KL will love Mars if he speaks up against genocide, ethnic cleansing, and humanitarian disaster. One cannot talk about love and yet turn a blind eye to what’s happening in Palestine.

Again, we watch these games and concerts simply because we enjoy them and the spirit of solidarity they elicit. That’s all.

So let’s not make life more complicated than it already is. As John Lennon said, Give Peace A Chance, and politicians, please just stay at home if you find concerts offensive or deem them “tempat maksiat” for promoting “hedonism”, which are the routinely recycled catch phrases PAS uses.

Are we overworking or working hard?

I CAN’T imagine my colleagues refusing to take my calls or text messages after 5pm or during weekends.

But that’s because I have worked in the media all my life. Working in the newsroom is exciting because the unexpected always happens and we are expected to be on the alert.

I remember my then news editor Nizam Mohamad looking at me sternly, saying I should join the civil service if I wanted to leave the office at 5pm.

If that wasn’t enough, we happily joined him for late supper after work, which was usually after midnight.

Second, I am a baby boomer, someone born between 1946 and 1964, a reference to a member of the generation born during the population surge in that period.

We treated our jobs and took our superiors seriously.

Most of us, rightly or wrongly, stuck to one employer.

Finally, I am an Asian. The idea of comparing my work culture with those from New Zealand, Spain, France, the United Kingdom and Canada, seems farfetched.

I take pride in the Confucian value that working hard is simply part of being a good person.

The Chinese philosopher’s work ethic also consists of loyalty to the organisation, thrift, dedication, social harmony, love for education, wisdom, and concern for social propriety.

These Western countries finished top in a recent survey for work-life balance out of 60 countries in the Global Life-Work Balance Index.

Well, to my surprise, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and China actually beat us.

Malaysia was ranked the second-worst country with Nigeria in the last spot.

It also amazed me that the United States was placed 53rd out of the 60 nations surveyed.

The survey was compiled by a human resources solutions company known as Remote, the index reviewed the 60 highest GDP nations with data collected and analysed in March 2023.

Malaysia was ranked 59th out of 60 with a meagre score of 27.51 out of 100, placing us right above Nigeria which scored 17.03.

The study recorded an average workweek of 40.8 hours along with an annual leave of 19 days, and a minimum wage of only US$1.07 (RM4.72) per hour.

Malaysia’s score was 5.71 out of 10 with regard to the happiness index, along with a score of 9 out of 100 for the LGBTQ + inclusivity index.

In fact, Malaysia ranked lowest among Asian countries, compared with Singapore which was placed 19th and Taiwan at 16th.

The survey did not say on what basis the 60 countries were chosen, only that the index was put together based on workplace related factors such as mandatory annual leave, sick pay, maternity leave, healthcare and overall happiness.

One big factor that was included in the survey was LGBTQ+ inclusivity, which must have dragged down most Asian countries except for Taiwan that scored 60 points.

Taiwan legalised same sex marriage in 2019 while Singapore has allowed same sex activity.

Singapore scored 50, South Korea 54 and Thailand 53 under this category while Malaysia managed only 15 points.

At the top spot was New Zealand, where employees only worked 26.3 hours per week, which scored 78 points for LGBTQ+ inclusivity.

The LGBTQ+ factor presumably dragged Malaysia, which almost all media did not point out.

I do not think that most Malaysians, including even millennials, accept the idea of putting in so little time for productivity as much as we all agree on work-life balance.

Malaysia, like many developing countries, needs to work harder to catch up. Comparisons with these Western developed countries seem out of sync.

Like many Malaysians, I am surprised that China outranked us. It was at 47th spot but the long working hours in China are well-known. The standard work-hour system is about 40 hours a week in China.

It would be horrendous for them to know that New Zealanders put in just 26.3 hours per week!

It depends on how one looks at it – is it being over-worked or hard-working? Certainly, the Chinese workers are among the best in the world although Alibaba’s founder Jack Ma’s working philosophy was severely criticised, even in China.

He caused a controversy when he advocated a 996-working week – which means 9am-9pm, six days a week. The Chinese government responded by rightly saying it was illegal.

China has seven public holidays, which is among the lowest in the world, in comparison with Malaysia, which is among the highest in the region, if not the world.

Although we have about 16 paid holidays, Malaysians are known for extending long weekends to tie in with the national and state public holidays.

Occasionally, we even have “cuti bola speak” (football holidays).

We even have a replacement holiday if the declared holiday falls on a Sunday.

In 2018, Malaysia went to ridiculous lengths when a “cuti protes” was declared by the Kelantan government to allow its people to travel to Kuala Lumpur to take part in a protest against the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).

There will be Malaysians who agree with the survey by Remote while others would disagree, but certainly, we all long for a better and more balanced work-life.

Still, it’s just the findings of one company, which isn’t authoritative, but improve our work conditions we must!