Latest news with #DewanRakyat
The Sun
44 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia boosts AIPA 2025 leadership through Thailand parliamentary talks
BANGKOK: Malaysia has reinforced its leadership role in ASEAN parliamentary diplomacy as Dewan Rakyat Speaker and AIPA 2025 President Tan Sri Johari Abdul met Thai Parliament Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. The discussions focused on enhancing regional legislative cooperation ahead of Malaysia's AIPA chairmanship next year. Johari described the meeting as a strategic move toward a more inclusive and resilient ASEAN. Wan Muhamad Noor pledged Thailand's full support for Malaysia's AIPA leadership and commended its successful hosting of key AIPA meetings, including the Women Parliamentarians' Meeting in Sarawak and the Young Parliamentarians' Meeting in Selangor. The Thai Speaker also emphasized the importance of the AIPA General Assembly as a platform for addressing global challenges, including the Palestine conflict and Iran's geopolitical tensions. He highlighted Thailand's readiness to celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations with Malaysia in 2027 and proposed deeper tourism cooperation. Wan Muhamad Noor welcomed the idea of inviting Malaysian MPs to Thailand to strengthen cross-cultural ties and parliamentary relations. This aligns with efforts to foster progressive regional leadership through legislative diplomacy.
The Star
2 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Nurses following the money abroad for more opportunities
PETALING JAYA: The brain drain from Malaysia's public healthcare sector is not limited to doctors, as nurses are also taking up offers from countries like Singapore and Saudi Arabia. M. Devishree said she chose to move to Singapore instead of working in Malaysia due to the stronger currency and proximity to home. 'I would be making RM4,000 here, but being paid S$3,000 (RM9,951) makes a difference,' she said. The 36-year-old from Kedah said she was able to fund her sibling's higher education with her Singapore salary. 'I don't think that would have been possible if I had remained in government service in Malaysia,' said Devishree, who moved after her third year of service. 'I did consider Australia. There are a lot of opportunities there as well. But I choose to settle for Singapore as I am able to travel home a lot faster since my family still lives here.' Another nurse, who only wanted to be known as Yap, also chose Singapore due to opportunities for career progression. 'There is demand for nurses in a lot of countries, especially here (Singapore) and in Saudi Arabia. 'Malaysians are flocking to these countries to be expatriate nurses because of the salary and also the fact that if you are good, you can make more as time goes by,' she said. V. Sita, who works in Jeddah, said she was able to purchase a house in her hometown in Penang within the first three years of serving in Saudi Arabia. 'The tax-free policy helps. In my case, I can get 8,000 Saudi riyals (RM9,000), while it would have taken way longer back home,' she said. 'I will not say the workload is not heavy; it's just like anywhere else. But if the salary is satisfying, I think people are willing to work. 'Expatriate nurses are also entitled to the paid vacation scheme, where you are entitled to a certain number of paid annual leave days,' she said. Sita added that it is also easy to adapt to life in Saudi Arabia as it is a growing destination for expatriates. In a written Dewan Rakyat reply in July last year, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said 2,445 nurses applied to work abroad in 2023. Citing data from the Malaysian Nursing Board, he said 1,553 or 64% were private sector nurses, while 892 (36%) were from the public sector.
Borneo Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Lanang MP distributes welfare aid, MRP grants to support needy, local bodies
Lau (centre) hands over the assistance to one of the recipients at her office. SIBU (July 3): A total 69 beneficiaries received various forms of welfare aid from Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker and Lanang MP Alice Lau during a simple presentation ceremony held here recently. In the same event, Lau also handed over Minor Rural Project (MRP) grants to 17 organisations. She said the welfare aid distributed included dialysis assistance, death benefits, medical aid, new-born benefits under the Lanang constituency, and other forms of support. 'By distributing these funds, we hope the recipients feel the warmth and care of the community,' she said in a statement. Lau added that she hopes the initiative would inspire more people to show compassion and help those in genuine need, contributing towards building a caring and compassionate society. She also said those requiring long-term treatment, such as dialysis and cancer patients, may apply for assistance through her service centre on an annual basis. In addition, she launched the 'Welcome, Lanang New Born!' programme in September 2024 as part of the 'Program Sayangi Lanang' series. Under this initiative, babies born on or after Sept 16, 2024, with at least one biological parent registered as a voter in Lanang, are eligible for the benefit. 'Parents may submit copies of their identity cards and the baby's birth certificate to Pusat Khidmat P211 Lanang (YB Alice Lau) within 90 days of the birth to apply for this benefit,' she said. Lau also reminded representatives of the recipient organisation to submit post-event and utilisation reports after receiving their grants, in line with the principles of transparency and accountability. 'Failure to do so will result in the organisation being blacklisted by the relevant authorities, and future applications will be rejected,' she stressed. Constituents in Lanang who wish to apply for dialysis aid, educational aid, death benefits, medical aid, disaster aid, or other forms of assistance may visit Pusat Khidmat P211 Lanang at 2, Lorong Lanang 82, during office hours. Alice Lau Lanang lead MRP needy ngos
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: Ensure Gig Workers Bill delivers
THERE is finally some clarity about the long awaited Gig Workers Bill after Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in August or September. But several concerns about this future economy have to be sorted out. Chiefly, the bill has to balance worker protection with business viability and sustainability. The bill is designed to safeguard the gig economy and create a social protection framework for the 1.12 million Malaysians working in the sector. The bill is also meant to provide equitable protection that builds a fair, inclusive and resilient future. Zahid has touted the bill as a world's first and that the International Labour Organisation was keen to learn from Malaysia's experience. However, despite its importance, industry players are adopting a "wait-and-see" attitude. The gig economy is a major economic contributor and a source of employment to youngsters. A key question about the bill is on whether it addresses career advancements. The bill also has place in the Education Ministry's effort to stem Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia absenteeism, as more students are forfeiting the examination to become riders and drivers for quick and easy money. The Department of Statistics Malaysia conducted a study in 2022 and found that the majority of p-hailing riders are aged between 15 and 30 and earn about RM2,500 a month. Major industry players maintained that the bill offered little clarity because no regulatory impact assessment has been done. Over the years of deliberations, the industry hasn't seen dispute resolution, deactivation compensation and wage requirement resolved. It's clear that more industry consultations and inclusivity is needed in the bill's drafting, especially discussions with platforms, gig workers, academics and experts. There are other worries: will there be spikes in operational costs, more entry barriers, disruptions in business models and higher consumer costs? Gig worker associations are uneasy with excessive regulations that may stifle innovation, discourage platform investment, reduce job opportunities and harm economic benefits. They are asking: Will the bill clearly define gig workers, provide practical mechanisms for dispute resolution, income protection and social security? This is why there have been multiple postponements to the bill's tabling. Nevertheless, the bill is a global pioneering legal framework for gig workers, espousing a fair, inclusive and resilient future economy.
Sinar Daily
a day ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Ketum leaf users can be sent to rehab even if not addicted
The government also encourages voluntary treatment for drug abusers as this approach is deemed supportive of an individual's recovery journey. 02 Jul 2025 08:58am The same action could also be taken against users of other illicit substances, such as ecstasy, even if the user does not show signs of addiction. KUALA LUMPUR - The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) has now been empowered to direct ketum leaf users to undergo treatment at the agency's rehabilitation centre even if they do not show symptoms of addiction. AADK director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh said the authority was obtained after the Dewan Rakyat passed the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) (Amendment) Bill 2024 last year. "Previously they may have escaped action because (AADK) did not have the legal power to detain them, but now, even if they are not addicted, they can still be subject to treatment if they test positive and found to be abusing the substance,' he said when appearing as a guest on Bernama TV's 'Ruang Bicara: Drug Prevention' programme tonight. Ruslin elaborated that the same action could also be taken against users of other illicit substances, such as ecstasy, even if the user does not show signs of addiction. "Even if the individual in question takes (drugs) once a year, if he is detected, we can take action under the Drug Dependants Act,' he said. Ruslin said the government also encourages voluntary treatment for drug abusers as this approach is deemed supportive of an individual's recovery journey. He said the approach reflects the government's commitment to tackling substance abuse through a more inclusive and progressive treatment and rehabilitation framework. The Dewan Rakyat passed the bill in July last year, which, among other things, will help the government regulate and improve the management and operation of private drug rehabilitation centres in the country. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail noted that the Drug Dependants (Treatment and Rehabilitation) Act 1983 did not have a provision requiring the registration of private rehabilitation centres. - BERNAMA
