Latest news with #Effendi
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
MIER: Lower RON95 price will ease cost of living and support economy
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's move to lower the price of RON95 will help ease living costs and support the economy, said Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) chairman Tan Sri Mohd Effendi Norwawi. He said the government is addressing one of the public's most pressing concerns – transport and fuel costs. 'The government's consideration will be, like anything else, they will look at what are the biggest needs of the people today. In a way, they're doing it right ... and looking at this,' he told reporters at Brown Bag Talk titled 'A Journey Through the Looking Glass: Towards Future-Proofing Malaysia's Food Security today. Effendi said the government will try to give as much as they can afford without affecting the national budget overall. 'I think it's always a balance of government. I think they're doing their best. Honestly, at least they have a good intention.' Former MIER chairman Tan Sri Sulaiman Mahbob also welcomed the move, saying it would provide relief for many Malaysians. 'This will help many by reducing transportation costs. Real income will improve, and this is good for the general public.' When asked whether the fuel price reduction might affect the national budget, Sulaiman said the impact should be assessed holistically. 'Whether it's a cost or a benefit, if the outcome is positive for the economy, then it's ultimately good for the budget as well.' Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on Wednesday that the price of RON95 petrol will be reduced to RM1.99 per litre for eligible motorists from RM2.05 per litre currently while fuel subsidies are rationalised. Anwar said it will benefit around 18 million motorists, including youths as young as 16 and gig economy workers. The prime minister added that full details of the RON95 subsidy mechanism would be announced by the end of September. 'When the RON95 subsidy rationalisation takes effect, Malaysians will enjoy a lower fuel price of RM1.99 per litre,' said Anwar. On a separate matter, Effendi said Malaysia must reassess its growth priorities under the 13th Malaysia Plan based on current global trends. 'I think agriculture and food security will be a priority,' he said. The sector, he added, has been on the national agenda since the 1970s, but now needs to be re-prioritised as a key national focus. 'It's time to turn this into a real national agenda. It's a major opportunity for Malaysia.' Effendi said beyond addressing food deficits and import bills, Malaysia has the potential to become a global food producer – similar to its success in palm oil and rubber – by leveraging its expertise, institutions such as Mardi, and modern agricultural technologies. 'If we've done it with palm oil and rubber, we can do it with food production. But we need a strong, comprehensive modern agriculture plan,' he added.
Borneo Post
24-06-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
SMK Marudi repeats impressive 100 pct pass rate in 2024 STPM
SMK Marudi students and teachers hold cardboards showing their CGPA in last year's STPM examination. MIRI (June 24): SMK Marudi in Baram once again recorded an impressive 100 per cent pass rate in the 2024 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination, maintaining the same achievement as in the previous year. Its principal Mohamad Effendi Panglima said a total of 38 out of 101 students who sat for the examination last year obtained a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 and above, despite a slight drop in the school's overall CGPA from 2.97 in 2023 to 2.68 in 2024. Effendi (left) presents a certificate of excellence to Dennis (second right) as SMK Marudi Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) chairman Blalang Atom (second left) and Dennis's mother (right) look on. 'The top performer for this year is Dennis Balan Paulos from class U6 Glory, who achieved a perfect CGPA of 4.00,' he said at the STPM results presentation at the school today. Effendi said that other outstanding students included Christina Sani Madela, who scored a CGPA of 3.84; Audrey Lisa (3.75); Jeesika Sulai (3.75); and Elisia Veronica Jarmal (3.67). He pointed out the excellent results reflected the strong cooperation and commitment of the teachers, parents as well as the students.
The Sun
22-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MIER struggling to stay afloat, says chairman
KUALA LUMPUR: After four decades of shaping Malaysia's economic and social policies, the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) is now struggling to stay afloat. MIER chairman Tan Sri Effendi Norwawi said MIER – one of the country's two independent think tanks alongside ISIS Malaysia – is now sustained not by public funds, but by personal contributions from its board of trustees. 'As trustees, we personally advance funds to keep operations running. We do this pro bono because we are deeply passionate about ensuring MIER continues to serve its national role,' he told SunBiz in a recent interview. Once the go-to source for independent data behind the Malaysia Plans and industrial blueprints, MIER now operates with zero core funding. Its annual government grant? Gone. Its project pipeline? Shrinking. Its staff? Whittled down after years of financial strain. Without regular government grants, Effendi said, MIER is surviving only because its board members are personally funding it. 'We used to receive an annual grant. That stopped. While we're still in talks with the government, in the meantime, we've had to raise our own funds.' He said the board is now mostly focused on survival, meeting weekly just to manage basic sustainability. 'There were times we ran out of money. When that happens, we step in ourselves. The board meets almost every week now just to ensure MIER stays alive,' he said. Today, MIER is overseen by a board of trustees comprising former senior civil servants and industry leaders, including former Economic Planning Unit director-general Tan Sri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob; Royal Selangor founder and former Pemudah co-chair Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon; former Johor menteri besar Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Othman; former Treasury official and economist Datuk Dr M. Shanmughalingam; and Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datuk Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel. Effendi said the current leadership is working unpaid, out of passion and duty. 'We are only volunteers. We do our best. But if we're unable to raise funds and keep MIER going, there's a real risk we may not survive, which would be very sad for the country.' Despite its financial strain, Effendi said, MIER remains actively engaged in policy work. It is currently advising the Ministry of Finance on the Sales and Service Tax and the Goods and Services Tax deliberations, and has submitted proposals to agencies such as Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) 'Our input is valued because we're close to industry and remain neutral. We engage as professionals.' The institute is also in talks with state governments such as Sarawak and Terengganu and financial institutions including Affin Bank. 'We engage with these institutions to see how we can support them whether at the national policy level or in operational matters. For example, we produce GDP (gross domestic product) reports, consumer confidence and business indexes, which banks use to advise their clients.' MIER is now planning a national economic conference in collaboration with Affin Bank, bringing together local and global experts. 'We hope to gather domestic and international voices to discuss the most pressing topics for national policy and business.' The think tank will also continue to publish its quarterly reports. 'Our strength is our network. We have access to the best minds across fields, economic, social, sustainability, artificial intelligence, innovation thanks to our ties with universities. 'When the government gives us a task, we can deliver fresh insights backed by the country's best thinkers.' Effendi remains hopeful that MIER's track record, independence and institutional memory will continue to be recognised and supported. 'This is the value MIER brings. This is our national role. We just want the chance to keep doing it.' Former chairman Tan Sri Sulaiman Mahbob shared that the think tank has been facing long-standing financial difficulties and lacks a stable source of funding. 'We don't have a permanent income or a fixed government provision for planning. If the government gives us something, it helps, but we still have to go out and find our own projects,' he told SunBiz. He said MIER's financial reserves were severely impacted by past economic crises, including the 1997–98 Asian Financial Crisis, the 2008–09 Global Financial Crisis and, most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Our endowment funds were placed with fund managers, but they were affected when the stock market collapsed,' he said. 'During Covid, we couldn't carry out any projects for nearly two and a half years. People weren't coming into the office, but we still had to pay rent, utilities and full wages.' As a result, key staff left and many projects dried up. 'When we ran out of money, many directors resigned. Our core management team moved on. It's not that we lost capacity – we just couldn't afford to keep them,' he said. Sulaiman noted that although the government continues to help, most recently with a RM1 million allocation, MIER's long-term financial footing remains shaky. 'The government still helps, but differently now. If they need research, they fund it. If not, there's no support,' he said. 'Private companies also don't offer many projects anymore. They have their own in-house research teams. Banks, for instance, used to rely on us. Now they have economic departments of their own.' Even so, he said, demand for independent voices is growing again as the economy becomes more complex and volatile. 'People are starting to come back to us. They want a balanced view, not just the official government narrative, but also a private, independent one.' Sulaiman believes Malaysia urgently needs more independent research bodies to keep national economic debates diverse and robust. 'We only have two think tanks – ISIS and MIER. But ISIS is government-funded. MIER is the only truly independent one. 'Other countries like Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines have many. We need at least five or six independent think tanks to give fresh, competing perspectives.' He said the private sector should also step up to support institutions such as MIER. 'Companies that benefit from a strong economy like oil, palm oil, manufacturing should help us. There are tax incentives for donations. But they're not coming forward. 'Saying the government no longer helps isn't accurate. They still help. But the private sector is lagging. It needs to do more.' For Malaysia to make better long-term decisions, he said, there must be room for more than one voice. 'Right now, we rely on a single source. That makes it harder to respond to new challenges. We need more free-thinking institutions to offer alternative forecasts, models and solutions.' 'That's why MIER must continue to exist. It's one of the last independent voices in the country.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Efforts underway to arrange elephant for Hyderabad Muharram procession
Days after the Forest Department expressed concerns over transporting an elephant over long distances to Hyderabad for the annual Muharram procession, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen legislator Mirza Riyaz-ul-Hasan Effendi said that his party is making efforts to arrange for one. The historic Muharram procession entails carrying the alam on an elephant from the Bibi ka Alawa. The HEH Nizam's Auqaf Committee and the Nizam Religious Trusts usually liaise with the State government for permission. According to Mr. Effendi, who spoke to the media after a Muharram review meeting with officials and public representatives, the HEH Nizam Auqaf Committee recently met AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi after which a representation was submitted to the government seeking speedy resolution of the issue. Mr Effendi appeared confident that the government would ensure that the elephant would be arranged for. Even as a way forward is being explored, Telangana State Waqf Board Chairman Syed Azmatullah Huseini said that ₹1 lakh was paid as an advance to bring the elephant to Hyderabad from Rajasthan. In the meanwhile, civic authorities have been making arrangements to deal with the large number of people who are expected to visit ashoorkhanas, including the Bibi ka Alawa, Badshahi Ashoorkhana, and other smaller ashoorkhanas. Minor repairs and civic work such as laying the flooring is underway and is expected to be done a few days before Muharram, which is expected to begin on July 6.
New Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
#TECH: Building safe AI environments
MALAYSIAN enterprises are increasingly engaging in conversations about the technology's potential and pitfalls. Yet, despite high confidence levels in its adoption, a significant gap remains in actual readiness and long-term planning. According to Kyndryl managing director (Malaysia and Indonesia operations) Effendi Azmi Hashim, artificial intelligence (AI) is now a fixture in boardroom discussions. "Every time I meet clients, including top executives and boards, the conversation inevitably circles back to AI. "Interestingly, even seasoned board members with decades of experience are still asking: what is AI?" Effendi believes the question isn't one of ignorance, but a request for clarity amid the technology's rapid evolution. To address this, Kyndryl developed the AI Readiness Report, based on a global survey of 3,200 senior executives. The report offers a unique lens into the attitudes and preparedness of enterprises around the world. One standout finding is that 86 per cent of global leaders surveyed expressed confidence in their AI implementation efforts. However, only 30 per cent felt their AI systems were future-proof — a significant gap that reflects the speed at which AI technologies are advancing. "We're seeing AI evolve so fast. Last year it was all about ChatGPT, now it's DeepSeek. "That kind of rapid change challenges companies to ensure their systems, governance and security can keep up." FOMO-DRIVEN ADOPTION One of the key issues identified by Effendi is the fear of missing out (Fomo) — a trend driving many organisations to adopt AI tools without a clear strategy. "I've seen companies invest in tools like Copilot or Gemini, but they're not even using them. "They bought in because everyone else was doing it, not because they had a defined purpose." This hasty adoption often leads to poorly integrated solutions, underutilisation, or worse — security risks stemming from public tool usage. Effendi shared a telling example where some firms were drafting sensitive corporate reports using public tools like ChatGPT, despite having access to enterprise-grade alternatives such as Microsoft Copilot. "That's a classic case of poor change management. Same tool purpose, but drastically different implications in terms of data security and governance." AI CONFIDENCE, BUT MISSING FOUNDATIONS While Malaysian firms are eager to adopt AI, Effendi said many lack the fundamental infrastructure and cultural preparedness to make that adoption sustainable and secure. "When companies come to us, we often find a disconnect. They want to launch AI projects, but their current systems — from security to data pipelines — are not ready." This is where tools like Kyndryl Bridge come into play. The platform offers real-time observability into an organisation's IT posture, helping identify gaps in performance, consumption and integration readiness. Security remains a major concern, especially among Malaysian boards and CEOs. Effendi said local leaders are generally more aware of AI's potential to expose vulnerabilities. "They don't just want to know what AI is. They want to know how they can be protected — today and in the future." THE HUMAN FACTOR Beyond technology, the human element is a critical factor in successful AI deployment. The AI Readiness Report identifies culture and trust as key ingredients, both of which require proactive change management. "You have compliance officers, but do you have a responsible AI manager?" Effendi asked. "Who owns AI in the company? Is it the CIO? HR? That debate is still ongoing." Effendi said AI should be approached like any organisational transformation — with leadership, communication, training, and buy-in across all levels. "Without this, even the best technologies may fall flat. "Younger employees are ready — they're already using AI tools. But others are cautious or even resistant. That mindset gap has to be addressed." BUILDING SAFE AI ENVIRONMENTS To help organisations experiment with AI in a secure way, Effendi suggested companies "play" with the technology first before going all in. He recommended timeboxed pilot projects that allow companies to experiment with specific AI workloads while managing expectations and reducing risk. LOOKING AHEAD Despite the hype and the hurdles, Effendi remains a strong advocate for AI — but only when deployed responsibly and with purpose. "AI offers incredible opportunities for optimisation, cost savings and innovation. "But without clarity of purpose, you won't know what value you're aiming to achieve."
