Latest news with #Anis
Daily Express
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Development plans must reflect actual needs
Published on: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 23, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Anis, who is also a member of the National Planning Council and Head of the Governance Cluster for RMK13, said solutions must be driven by data, not assumptions. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah's development plans must be built from the ground up and reflect the actual needs of its people, said Datuk Dr Anis Yusal Yusoff, Executive Director of the International Institute for Public Policy and Management (Inpuma), Universiti Malaya. Anis, who is also a member of the National Planning Council and Head of the Governance Cluster for RMK13, said solutions must be driven by data, not assumptions. 'I want the planners to see what is really needed by the people. Not what we think they need,' he said after moderating a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on inputs for the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). He described the role of the RMK13 technical team as both a 'translator and aggregator' of ground-level inputs, especially from rural communities. Thirty-three core issues surfaced during the discussion, attended by researchers, civil society organisations, academics and local development players. Also present were former Director of Insan, Datuk Dr Sa抋dilah Abdillah, and Social and Youth Policy Expert Associate Professor Janice Nga Lay Hui. Most of which, he said, were still about basic needs such as clean water, electricity, roads, internet and education. He cautioned that if these needs are not prioritised, RMK13 would risk being disconnected from reality. Anis noted that many community aspirations today echo the same issues brought up during the Vision 2020 era. 'That means the problems were not solved. That抯 why people repeat them. We cannot blame them. It is because the needs are still unfulfilled,' he said. He also pointed out that despite various government development blueprints, there remains an implementation gap. 'We can talk about big plans. But if the execution is not right, we will always go back to the drawing board every five years,' Anis said. He reminded participants that true development is not just about infrastructure but also integrity and inclusive governance. He praised local efforts by UMS and other Sabah-based academics and NGOs who consistently push to bridge the gap between policy and practice. 'Sabah is rich in social capital. What we need is to connect it with political will and effective delivery,' he said. He expressed hope that the RMK13 process would genuinely capture the diversity of voices from all across Sabah and empower more local leaders to take ownership of solutions. 'Let us not write a plan for the sake of planning. Let us write one that truly works,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hindustan Times
28-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Anis Sajan: The Shattaf Man—From Mumbai's Chawls to Dubai's Boardrooms
In the glitzy skyline of Dubai, where ambition towers as high as the buildings, Anis Sajan, Vice Chairman, Danube Group, has carved a name out for himself, not just in business, but within the Gulf's cricket community, too. Known as the 'Shattaf Man of Dubai' for revolutionising sanitary fittings, Anis is also called 'Mr Cricket UAE' given his love of the game. His journey from a chawl in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area to the boardroom of one of the UAE's biggest conglomerates reads like a story waiting to be written. Anis Sajan- Vice Chairman, Danube Group Anis, the youngest of three kids and full of mischief, tragedy struck when he lost his dad at the age of eight. 'I did not fully grasp the concept of death, but I knew something big was missing,' he shares. His elder brother Rizwan, only 16 back then, became the man of the house, as their mum battled illness. There was little room for comfort as pocket money was a luxury they couldn't afford. 'I sold Diwali lights for a profit of ₹ 300. It gave me the experience of sales,' Anis says. Anis Sajan (centre) with his sons Azhar Sajan (left) and Sahil Sajan (right) The hustle went on to shape his future. After a stint in Kuwait, Anis worked in India at Eureka Forbes. 'Knocking on doors and hearing 'no' repeatedly built my resilience and confidence' he says. After the Gulf War, Rizwan pushed him to give Dubai another try as Anis was reluctant to come after his experience in Kuwait. After a warm welcome at Dubai Immigration when he was greeted by the officer with 'Kaisa hai', he headed to an Indian restaurant with Rizwan in Al Karama. Seeing Indians all around made it feel like Dubai was home away from home. In the desert, Anis spotted an opportunity. One pivotal moment came with the introduction of shattaf (jet sprays) in the UAE, as it was a basic necessity in the Arab and Asian cultures. Bayz, a 101-storey residential tower in Business Bay, features 1,100 apartment units, and its residents can enjoy stunning views of the iconic Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Canal Every household in these countries ensures that the first thing they install is a shattaf. 'The sight of tissues makes you feel constipated. And with this jet spray you cannot go wrong, because it's the need of every house for hygiene,' says Anis. What started with 300 units a month has now reached more than 1,00,000 units per month. This gave birth to the brand Milano, which is the heart of the Danube Group. Despite scaling big heights, Anis hasn't forgotten where it all began. A visit to his chawl, now a high-rise, left him emotional: 'The building has walls, but my memories are still stuck in the old lanes, where I used to play cricket all day long.' A Second Identity: Mr Cricket UAE Business might be his profession, but cricket is his heartbeat. His love for the game began with the 1983 cricket World Cup, when India won. And the passion never faded. Anis has owned two cricket franchises in the Abu Dhabi T10 League Delhi Bulls. He also employs 30 people to only play local cricket. Former Australian Cricketer Shane Watson with Anis Sajan Anis appears as a sport analyst on TV, writes cricket columns and also supports grassroots talents across India and the UAE. But his proudest moment? Introducing the Danube Test Series and bringing the red ball format to a region that's obsessed with indoor cricket and short formats. 'Test cricket is what separates the men from the boys. It tests the temperament of a person,' he says, adding that it is important in everyone's life, be it work or sports. It gave young cricketers in the UAE a chance to embrace the long format and sealed his reputation as not only a fan, but also a cricket visionary. If you think Anis' talks about cricket is just that, his home during the India vs Pakistan cricket matches feels like a mini stadium, complete with food, flags and fervour. 'The India-Pakistan matches and the IPL aren't just cricket, they're our fourth festival after Diwali, Holi and Eid, and as Mr Cricket UAE, it's my duty to host it and live my passion with my friends,' he smiles. Anis Sajan with former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan Through the game, Anis has found a way to connect with people just like he does with his business. In recent years, whenever an ICC tournament is hosted in the UAE, Anis purchases and distributes tickets among the blue-collared people for them to see their heroes play at the stadium. At 53, he has no plans of slowing down and his sons Azhar and Sahil are also part of the Danube Group. Anis believes that his biggest success as a parent is seeing both his sons united and being responsible in their respective fields. While his older son, Azhar, has ventured into luxury home solutions by starting Casa Milano, his younger one, Sahil, has followed in his father's footsteps and is handling Milano. They bring a fresh energy to the family-run empire. 'It's not just about success, it's about building something that lasts,' he says. Danube Oasiz is a contemporary development situated in Dubai Silicon Oasis that offers modern lifestyle From gully cricket to owning cricket franchises in the Gulf, and from selling Diwali lights in Mumbai to selling jet sprays and lighting Dubai's business corridors — Anis' story is one of purpose, perseverance and pure passion. Just like a Test match, he is in it for the long haul.
Al-Ahram Weekly
19-06-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Downbeat prospects for the Suez Canal - Economy - Al-Ahram Weekly
Losses in revenue from the Suez Canal are likely to grow this year with the escalating tensions in the region in the wake of the Israel-Iran war. In the year and a half after Israel's war on Gaza began in October 2023, the Suez Canal lost around $8 billion in revenues. Houthi group attacks in the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinians against the Israeli war on Gaza also caused major shipping lines to divert their route through the Suez Canal to the longer one around the Cape of Good Hope. Egypt has lost 'approximately $800 million in monthly revenues from the Suez Canal, with a total aggregate amount of $8 billion, since the beginning of Israel's war on Gaza,' wrote Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in an article in the British maritime publication Lloyd's List in May. The canal brought in an unprecedented $9.4 billion in revenues in fiscal year 2022-23. It is one of Egypt's main sources of foreign currency, and a decline in its revenues will put pressure on the country's foreign-exchange reserves, likely causing the dollar to strengthen against the Egyptian pound, Karim Adel, head of the Al-Adl Centre for Economic and Strategic Studies, told Al-Ahram Weekly. Mohamed Anis, an economic expert, told the Weekly that the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait which links the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean cannot support additional tensions that negatively affect the global shipping companies' passage through the strait. This Israel-Iran war adds to the pressure on Suez Canal revenues and therefore the Egyptian economy. The Bab Al-Mandeb is a vital trade route between the Mediterranean and Asia. Vessels carrying goods between Europe and Asia, as well as oil from the Middle East to Europe and North America, pass through it when navigating the Suez Canal. Anis added that lower maritime traffic through the canal is expected to have a significant impact on revenues, forecasting that they will shrink to $2.5 billion in 2025. In 2024, revenues stood at $3.9 billion, he said. Moreover, with the flare-up of further conflict in the region, reducing Suez Canal transit fees may no longer be effective in attracting shipping companies back to the route, as many have shifted to the Cape of Good Hope, he explained. In May, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) announced a 90-day 15 per cent discount on transit fees for container ships with a net tonnage of 130,000 tons or more, whether loaded or empty. The discount was meant to encourage the shipping companies to gradually return to the Suez Canal following a brief ceasefire in Gaza and a truce between the US and the Houthis. Another worrying factor is the possibility of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This is the primary export route for Gulf oil, which accounts for about 20 per cent of global oil supplies. It is also critical for natural gas exports, with Qatar controlling a large portion of the Gulf's 30 per cent share, Anis said. He warned that any consequences of the Israel-Iran war affecting the Strait of Hormuz could severely disrupt the global oil trade, creating a sharp supply shortfall and driving up prices from the cost of crude itself to shipping and operational expenses. Oil prices could reach $120 per barrel should the US intervene militarily against Iran and the strait be completely closed, removing approximately four million barrels per day from the global market, Anis said. Trade volumes through the strait exceed $1 trillion annually, with over 2.5 billion tons of cargo passing through each year, Adel said. Raw materials such as grain, iron ore, and cement account for 22 per cent, while the container trade carrying finished goods to the Gulf countries makes up about 20 per cent. * A version of this article appears in print in the 19 June, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Sinar Daily
17-06-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Next Economy Minister needs expertise and public trust, analysts warn
Political analyst Associate Prof Dr Syaza Shukri from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said that despite Tengku Zafrul's name being floated, he would need to contest and win a by-election first. Tenku Zafrul (left) and Anwar Ibrahim (right). - Photo by Bernama SHAH ALAM - The race to fill Cabinet's vacant Economy Minister post remains entangled in coalition politics and a shrinking pool of candidates, with much of the uncertainty centred on the next move of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, political analysts say. Political analyst Associate Prof Dr Syaza Shukri from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said that despite Tengku Zafrul's name being floated, he would need to contest and win a by-election first. "The name that has been thrown is, of course, maybe Tengku Zafrul but then he needs to win a by-election. But at least it would be from within PKR," she told Sinar Daily. Syaza also stated that while other names such as Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari have been mentioned, any such move would trigger new political balancing acts. "Maybe Amirudin, but he may need to let go of the MB-ship, which is another thing altogether," she said. She stated that bringing in an Umno leader such as Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani could disrupt party equilibrium within the ruling coalition. 'If we consider an Umno leader like Johari, it would disrupt the party balance. The best, I think, is to consolidate the ministry with another ministry,' Syaza said. For now, Syaza said it remains a 'wait and see' situation. According to O2 Research Head Anis Anwar, the challenge lies in managing expertise, coalition harmony and the risk of factional battles so late in the government's term. "The fifteenth Parliament is already nearing its end. Bringing in a non-partisan technocrat can serve as a strategic buffer, preventing any risk of party infighting or coalition disputes during the caretaker phases ahead of GE16," he said. The soon-to-be-tabled 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13) adds another layer of urgency, with continuity being vital to maintaining public confidence. "Markets and ordinary citizens alike expect the next minister to safeguard key policies already outlined in RMK-13, including subsidy rationalisation, EPF reform and labour-market modernisation," Anis said. Beyond expertise and policy continuity, Anis said the ability to communicate with the public effectively will be crucial. Following Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's high-profile departure, Anis said the importance of appointing a minister who can clearly articulate complex economic reforms. "Media-savvy communication skills are also crucial, as the public needs clear explanations of complex reforms to restore trust after Rafizi's high-profile departure," Anis said. Anis stressed the importance of securing cross-faction acceptability within PKR and the broader Pakatan Harapan coalition. "Failing to address internal tensions now could jeopardise the government's unity ahead of 16th General Election (GE16)," Anis added.
Sinar Daily
11-06-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Partisan pick for Economy Minister could rock Unity Govt, analysts warn
Anwar's Economy Minister choice: A minefield for coalition stability? A political analyst has cautioned that maintaining stability within the current government is important, particularly with Umno as a key coalition partner. - Bernama file photo SHAH ALAM – As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim considers Malaysia's next Economy Minister, political analysts caution that appointing a purely partisan figure could ignite internal tensions and jeopardise government unity. Speaking to Sinar Daily, political analyst Associate Professor Dr Syaza Shukri from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) has cautioned that maintaining stability within the current government is important, particularly with Umno as a key coalition partner. A political analyst has cautioned that ensuring harmony with Umno is a critical calculation for the administration to sustain its footing and manage the complexities of coalition politics effectively. - Bernama file photo She stated that ensuring harmony with Umno is a critical calculation for the administration to sustain its footing and manage the complexities of coalition politics effectively. "The important thing now is to maintain stability with Umno. It's crucial to appease Umno,' she said, noting that the coalition's limited pool of viable candidates among PKR and Umno adds to the difficulty. O2 Research Head Anis Anwar echoed these concerns, stating that bringing in a technocrat would help avoid new factional battles within PKR and Pakatan Harapan (PH). 'Since Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli's departure, coalition unity has already been tested by emerging PKR tensions, lingering scepticism among Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs and voter impatience,' he said. In such an environment, Anis argued, a technocratic figure would help depoliticise the Economy Ministry and reinforce the Unity Government's 'collective responsibility' ethos. "Umno is simultaneously recalibrating for 16th General Election and it is unlikely to object to a non-aligned professional as long as its key rural development and social welfare programmes are safeguarded," Anis added. According to Anis, PKR, still recovering from internal contests, recognised that any overt infighting over a partisan pick could harm its credibility. In contrast, he said a neutral technocrat would deny critics an opportunity to accuse the party of prioritising internal loyalties over national interest. Anis also said that PH leaders are aware that voter dissatisfaction with opportunistic appointments could jeopardise the coalition's comfortable majority. "A technocrat appointment is the path of least resistance. It insulates the Cabinet from intra-party strife, stabilises markets, and fosters a sense of forward momentum without inviting fresh controversies," Anis added. Within PKR, he said selecting a technocrat prevents either the Nurul Izzah Anwar faction or the Rafizi faction from monopolising the economic portfolio. While grassroots members may be disappointed that their preferred candidates lack visibility, they are likely to appreciate the party's prioritisation of national interest. "Other PH political members have not much to say or comment to keep the coalition in order and harmony. "BN will accept a technocrat as long as its key constituencies are taken care of and those ministry seats do not fall under their party seat quota," he said.
