logo
Anwar making tough calls in people's interest, says Ramanan

Anwar making tough calls in people's interest, says Ramanan

KUALA LUMPUR: The government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim remains steadfast in its commitment to prioritising the people's interests by focusing on economic recovery, strengthening national unity and ensuring political stability.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the Madani government's approach was not limited to short-term gains but was framed with a long-term vision to guarantee the well-being of all Malaysians, regardless of race or background.
"We can see how the prime minister consistently puts the people first.
"In terms of the economy, various initiatives have been introduced to stimulate growth, stabilise the cost of living and ensure fair job opportunities for all," said Ramanan, who is also PKR vice-president.
He said this after officiating a casual engagement session with nearly 400 students of SMK Subang Bestari at Help University today.
Ramanan said recent announcements under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), alongside efforts to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), is clear evidence that the government is serious about driving post-pandemic economic recovery amid global uncertainties.
On unity, he described the Malaysia Madani concept as a crucial foundation in bringing together the country's multiracial and multi-religious society.
"Unity is not just a slogan. It is translated through inclusive policies, fair distribution of assistance and continued support for all communities.
Ramanan added that the political stability achieved through the cooperation within the unity government must be preserved for the continuity of national development.
"No development can be achieved if the nation's politics remain unstable.
"What we have today is a stable government led by an experienced leader who is willing to make tough decisions for the good of the people," he said.
He said the public must not be swayed by negative narratives aimed at causing unease and division.
"The people must be wise in their judgment. Under the Madani government, welfare is protected, economic opportunities are expanding and the nation is on the right track.
"This is not the time for narrow politics, but the time to unite and build a better future," he said.
Ramanan also urged Malaysians to continue placing their trust in Anwar's leadership, which he said was grounded in integrity, inclusivity and courage in defending the people's interests.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pakistan: Food inflation surges in Punjab province as price control fails to deliver
Pakistan: Food inflation surges in Punjab province as price control fails to deliver

Malaysia Sun

time2 hours ago

  • Malaysia Sun

Pakistan: Food inflation surges in Punjab province as price control fails to deliver

Islamabad [Pakistan], August 3 (ANI): Rising food prices across Pakistan's Punjab province have sparked widespread public frustration, with consumers consistently forced to pay well above the officially fixed rates for everyday essentials, The Express Tribune reported. According to The Express Tribune, despite the establishment of new price monitoring units, enforcement has proven largely ineffective, casting serious doubts over the Pakistan government's ability to control inflation. In recent days, the prices of essential vegetables and poultry products have remained well above government-sanctioned levels. Not a single vegetable was found selling below Rs 200 per kilogram in many local markets, highlighting a glaring disconnect between official rates and market realities, The Express Tribune reported. The continued disregard for price lists not only reflects regulatory failure but also raises concerns about the efficiency of the newly established departments, which critics say are increasing bureaucratic costs without producing results. According to The Express Tribune, in the poultry markets, the mismatch was particularly evident, with consumers reportedly paying between PKR 460 and PKR 480 for live chicken despite the official price being lowered by PKR 15 to PKR 374 to PKR 388 per kilogram. Similarly, chicken meat was officially set at PKR 562 per kilogram but was sold at PKR 570-640, while boneless chicken fetched as much as PKR 1,200 per kilogram. Vegetable prices were also far from the official figures. Premium potatoes, officially priced at PKR 80 to 85 per kilogram, were being sold for PKR 140-150. A-grade onions were listed at PKR 50-55 per kilogram but reached up to PKR 100 in the market. Tomatoes, fixed at PKR 82-90, were sold for as much as PKR 150, The Express Tribune reported. Garlic and ginger saw some of the worst price hikes. Garlic was selling for up to PKR 400 per kilogram, despite official rates of PKR 210 to PKR 260. Ginger prices climbed to PKR 600 to 700, compared to fixed rates of PKR 400 to PKR 460, The Express Tribune reported. Other vegetables, including cucumber at PKR 200/kg, brinjal at PKR 150/kg, bitter gourd at PKR, 220/kg and ladyfinger at PKR 240/kg, were also priced significantly higher than official rates. Fruit prices followed the same trend with apples, officially listed at PKR 145 to PKR 265 per kilogram, being sold for up to PKR 350, while bananas were priced PKR 50 to PKR 90 higher than official rates depending on quality, The Express Tribune reported. Even commonly consumed fruits like sweet melon, dates, and peaches became out of reach for middle-income households. Dates, for example, were officially priced at PKR 460 to PKR 490 per kilogram but were being sold for up to PKR 2,000. Despite widespread overcharging, newly established market inspection teams and price monitoring departments have been unable to enforce pricing regulations. Critics say these initiatives lack both the authority and the political resolve to hold violators accountable. As food inflation continues to squeeze household budgets--particularly for lower- and middle-income groups--public confidence in the government's economic policies and regulatory mechanisms is steadily declining, The Express Tribune reported. (ANI)

NST Leader: Agrofood sector set for major reforms under 13MP
NST Leader: Agrofood sector set for major reforms under 13MP

New Straits Times

time4 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

NST Leader: Agrofood sector set for major reforms under 13MP

THE 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) has big ideas for the agrofood sector. High time, we say. It has been treated as a stepchild since the country transitioned to manufacturing in the 1980s. That should change by 2030, when the 13MP reforms the sector, leading to RM58 billion in value creation. Self-sufficiency rates are also being scaled up to 80 per cent for rice, 98 per cent for fisheries, 83 per cent for fruits, 79 per cent for vegetables, 140 per cent for poultry, 123 per cent for eggs and 50 per cent for beef and buffalo meat. Ambitious? Yes, given that the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry has to hit the targets within five years, on top of resolving numerous issues plaguing the agrofood sector. Surely, an unenviable task. Land is a big ticket item, with most of what is available being devoted to industrial crops such as oil palm and rubber, because they are more profitable. In 2020, 7.6 million hectares of arable land was used for agriculture, of which 5.2 million was dedicated to industrial crops. Little wonder, our Asean neighbours' agrofood products are everywhere. Former director of Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Rozhan Abu Dardak, provides another reason why this is so in his article published in the Food and Fertilizer Technology Centre Agricultural Policy Platform website on April 14: Vietnam dedicated 33 million hectares for rice cultivation. Thailand 9.2 million hectares, Indonesia 10.6 million hectares and the Philippines 5.6 million hectares. What about Malaysia? Of the 996,950ha dedicated to the agrofood sector, only 373,383ha is being used to cultivate rice. The rest is used for growing fruits, other food crops and vegetables, the last, a measly 64,220ha to work on. If that is not enough, the agrofood sector has to compete with industries and housing for land. More land for agrofood should certainly be a reform to aim for. There is one reality our policymakers often miss. Malaysia is a land of small things. Like the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that dominate the country's economy, so do small-scale farms. According to Rozhan, more than 90 per cent of Malaysian farmers own small plots of land, averaging 2.5ha per person. Logically, bigger means better yields. But that doesn't mean technology can't be made to work on small plots to increase yields. Like we have learnt to live with SMEs, we must learn to live with small-scale farms. What the agrofood sector reform should focus on are the farms themselves: the what and how of the trade. The skyrocketing prices of farm inputs, too, are making farming a challenging vocation. Farmers need help. Providing subsidies to those who deserve it is one way. The 13MP's move to incentivise young agroentrepreneurs takes the reform to a good place. We are a nation of old farmers, most of whom are in their 60s. At that age, farming is a struggle. Malaysians will be keeping a keen eye on the agrofood sector reforms, because what happens in the farms will determine whether or not we have home-grown food on the table.

13MP: Ministry to develop price and supply repository system
13MP: Ministry to develop price and supply repository system

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

13MP: Ministry to develop price and supply repository system

PENAMPANG: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry will develop a Price and Supply Repository System during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Its minister, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said the system would enable the government to monitor prices and supply comprehensively from producers and wholesalers to retailers and consumers. "With this supply and pricing data chain, the government can monitor more effectively and detect manipulation by middlemen who inflate prices. "The ministry will collaborate with various ministries, including the Economy Ministry and the Finance Ministry," he said. He was speaking to reporters after launching the Madani Nationhood Seminar organised by Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia (AKM) at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC) here today. Armizan said the system will not only strengthen the food supply chain but also help detect exactly where price hikes or manipulation occur within the distribution process. At the same time, a study on the factors behind price differences in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan was launched this year. A separate Price Stability Committee has been established for each state. He said that the committee, co-chaired by himself and Sabah Community Development and People's Well-being Minister, Datuk James Ratib, will evaluate five key items in Sabah, including chicken prices. Armizan also said a preliminary report had already been presented by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) for Sabah and Labuan, while Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) is conducting the study for Sarawak. "UMS has proposed five essential items that can be addressed in the short term to solve the issue. "We will examine their initial findings before proceeding to the second phase of the study," he said. – Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store