Latest news with #MohdHanafiah
Borneo Post
18-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah delegates gain strategic insights at Energy Asia 2025
Mohd Hanafiah (centre) visiting the immersive tunnel at the Energy Park — a three-day pop-up exhibition set up by Petronas in conjunction with Energy Asia 2025, showcasing its net-zero ambitions through interactive experiences. KOTA KINABALU (July 18): The Energy Asia 2025 conference in Kuala Lumpur served as a valuable platform for Sabah delegates to gain insights into Asia's evolving role in the energy sector — particularly in the context of driving a just and inclusive energy transition. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Kassim, described it as a fast-track introduction to energy transition as speakers and eminent experts shared their insights during the three-day conference held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from June 16 to 18. Attending the conference for the first time, Mohd Hanafiah described it as an eye-opening and impactful experience. 'I believe this platform serves as a fast track for me to understand where we stand in our energy initiatives, particularly from the perspectives of innovation and strategy. The speakers were brilliant, able to articulate complex issues in 15 minutes, and respond to questions with clarity and depth. It's been an eye-opening experience.' He was particularly interested in the dialogues that touched on regulation and governance in dealing with energy transition. He noted that to develop effective and competent regulatory frameworks, a one-size-fits-all approach would not work. Another Sabah delegate, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Sabah Berhad Dr Firdausi Suffian said that Energy Asia clearly spelled out that there can be no net zero without Asia. 'The sharing here highlighted the importance of collaboration, diversification, and, of course, upskilling. These are not just buzzwords; they are strategic imperatives if we are serious about driving a just and inclusive energy transition in this region, ensuring that no one is left behind as we move towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future,' he said. Firdausi called on policymakers and industry players, as well as academics and civil society, to attend such conferences, saying they had a role to play in understanding and supporting energy transition, which requires a collective and inclusive approach to ensure long-term sustainability and resilience. 'If you look at the entire programme and discussions, they all seem to share a common consensus, which can be summarised very clearly: the energy transition must be approached through the lens of context,' he added. Energy Asia, hosted by Petronas in partnership with Knowledge Partner CERAWeek by S&P Global, wrapped up with a powerful call to accelerate a just, inclusive, and practical energy transition. The event gathered over 4,000 participants from 60 countries and 38 sectors, uniting policymakers, investors, innovators and energy professionals under one roof to exchange insights and drive forward-looking solutions. Through more than 50 strategic dialogues across seven sub-themes, Energy Asia explored the collaborative efforts among Asian nations to strengthen energy security, advance renewable energy adoption, implement decarbonisation solutions, enable technology transfer, and drive both economic and socio-economic development.
Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah strengthens labour laws to protect workers' rights
Mohd Hanafiah (seated right) and Mohd Asri (seated left) at the event. KOTA KINABALU (May 19): The Sabah State Government is taking a proactive approach to strengthen workers' rights through amendments to its labour laws, reflecting a firm commitment to international standards and fair employment practices. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Kassim, said the amendments underscore the government's determination to protect workers from abuse, including issues such as child labour and underpayment. 'All this is for the better — to ensure we provide protection against any form of abuse,' he said at the launch of the Sabah-Level 2025 Labour Legislation Transformation Programme held at Le Meridien today. He stressed that some sectors have been found to neglect basic rights, making it essential for the government to step in with clear legal protections. 'We are fine-tuning the laws so that they can be clearly understood by the people,' he added. Hanafiah highlighted that the transformation will be carried out in stages, with multiple platforms for engagement to ensure widespread awareness. While he acknowledged the state's push for industrial growth, he cautioned that it must not come at the expense of workers' rights. 'According to the Statistics Department, we are quite behind. However, catching up does not mean we can bypass rights that must be upheld. There is no shortcut,' he emphasized, adding that the effort involves cooperation from various bodies, including the National Wages Consultative Council and Cuepacs. The programme, he said, signals the government's commitment to ensuring labour reforms reach all levels of society — from policymakers to grassroots workers. He noted that shifts in employment trends, including digitalisation and work-life balance, demand timely updates to the legislation. 'With close cooperation between the government, employers and trade unions, we can build a fairer, more inclusive, and progressive employment ecosystem,' he said. As the workforce enters a new era shaped by digital transformation, social security and equity, Hanafiah asserted that legal frameworks must evolve to keep pace. 'I have been informed that several important amendments have been made to key acts such as the Sabah Labour Ordinance, the Industrial Relations Act and the Trade Unions Act, which now provide broader protection for workers,' he added. Given Sabah's diverse economic sectors — including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and services — implementing inclusive and transparent labour policies is crucial. He welcomed the participation of all stakeholders to ensure every voice is heard in shaping these reforms. As Permanent Secretary, Hanafiah noted the role of innovation in reshaping the employment landscape and called for legislation that supports new forms of work in the digital economy, balancing productivity with well-being. 'I am confident that programmes such as this will strengthen understanding, encourage open dialogue and build collaborative networks across sectors,' he said, expressing hope for lasting benefits to Sabah's workforce and its socio-economic development. On the issue of workers' housing, Hanafiah noted that federal laws mandating minimum standards have yet to be enforced in Sabah. 'The law has not been enforced in Sabah yet,' he said, adding that stakeholder consultations are still ongoing. Meanwhile, Director General of Trade Unions, Mohd Asri Abdul Wahab, said the programme is a strategic collaboration involving the Trade Union Affairs Department , the National Wages Consultative Council, the Malaysian Industrial Relations Department and the Sabah Labour Department. He explained that the objective is to inform key stakeholders — including agencies, employers' associations and trade unions — about the implementation and enforcement of amendments to three key Acts: the Trade Unions Act 1959 (Amendment 2024), the Industrial Relations Act (Amendment 2020), and the Labour Ordinance Cap. 67 (Amendment 2025).
