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The Sun
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Senator raises concerns about Singapore's direct move to hire Malaysian doctors
PETALING JAYA: A senator has raised concerns about Singapore recruiting Malaysian doctors at a hotel, citing the bold move as worsening the brain drain in the healthcare sector. Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran said the job advertisement posted by Malaysia's neighbouring country, offering an annual salary of RM385,000 in addition to other perks, would undoubtedly attract more local healthcare staff, according to Free Malaysia Today. The positions offered by Singapore's healthcare sector also include an accommodation allowance, insurance, and other benefits such as an on-call allowance. Moreover, candidates only need three years of experience to qualify. Lingeshwaran, a former director of Sungai Bakap Hospital, also urged the Ministry of Health to take Singapore's move seriously, as it could further impact Malaysia's already strained healthcare sector. His comments come after Singapore's Ministry of Health is planning a direct recruitment of Malaysian healthcare workers by interviewing them at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur next month, which has since gained traction all over social media. 'What's more telling is Singapore's decision to open it to all medical degree holders without having to sit for an examination. 'Previously, they only recruited medical graduates from Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) directly. 'I think this will open the floodgates as the costliest expenditure in Singapore, which is accommodation, will be covered. The comments on social media by doctors are an indication that we are going to lose our medical brains,' he was quoted as saying. The job posting also states that doctors from University Malaya and University Kebangsaan Malaysia may apply for the position of medical officer, while healthcare staff from other universities will be designated as clinical associates, with a similar remuneration package. Lingeshwaran added that a Malaysian medical officer with three years of experience typically earns up to RM6,000 a month, or RM72,000 annually. He also revealed that 40% of 105 medical students who graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and University College Dublin Malaysia Campus in Penang have applied for internships in the United Kingdom or Ireland. 'They are leaving because the Malaysian system provides them with no certainty and support for their future. The unresolved contract doctor policy, lack of permanent positions, limited career progression and poor work-life balance are driving them away,' Lingeshwaran was also quoted as saying. In December 2024, Minister of Health Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad reportedly estimated that a total of 6,417 permanent and contract medical officers had resigned between 2019 and 2023. 'The brain drain is not a drip any more, it is now a wave. We need urgent structural reforms to retain our talent, value their service, and give them a future worth staying for,' he added.
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Lower OPR brings RM864 annual relief to homeowners
KUALA LUMPUR: A 25-basis-point reduction in the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) to 2.75 per cent is expected to ease the financial burden on homebuyers with floating-rate mortgages, says the Muslim Real Estate Consultants Association of Malaysia. Its president Idzwan Izuddin Shah Ishak said that local banks' floating interest rates were closely linked to the OPR through the Base Rate (BR) or Standardised Base Rate (SBR). "If the OPR is reduced by 0.25 per cent, the BR or SBR generally follows suit. As a result, the interest charged on loans will also decrease within weeks of Bank Negara Malaysia's announcement," he told Sinar Harian. He said that for a 30-year mortgage of RM500,000, a 0.25 per cent cut could reduce the monthly instalment by around RM72. "At present, the average interest rate for such a loan is about 4 per cent, which translates to a monthly repayment of RM2,387. After the OPR reduction, this could drop to approximately RM2,315 — a monthly saving of RM72 or RM864 a year." According to him, as the BR or SBR decreases in tandem with the OPR, floating interest rates fall, resulting in lower monthly payments. Borrowers might also opt to maintain their current repayments in order to shorten the loan tenure, he added. However, Idzwan said that fixed-rate loans would not see immediate changes, as rates are only adjusted during repricing at maturity. He said that a low-OPR environment could prompt banks to offer more attractive refinancing options. Lower borrowing costs, he added, were expected to stimulate demand over the next six to 12 months, particularly among first-time buyers and upgraders. "The reduction in financing costs will likely encourage more property purchases. BIMB Research has projected that heightened consumer activity could boost GDP by 0.2 per cent, bringing growth to around 4.6 per cent," Idzwan said. He said that house prices were likely to remain stable, with moderate increases anticipated in the affordable housing segment.
Daily Express
18-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
450 youths in Sipitang hope to land oil and gas jobs
Published on: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 18, 2025 Text Size: Dr Yusof with the young attendees. Kota Kinabalu: The State Government's commitment to prioritise local employment at the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (Sogip) has been realised, with many Sipitang youths now working at the Sabah Ammonia Urea (Samur) Petronas Chemical Fertilisers Sabah. Sipitang Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob said the initiative, discussed years ago with Petronas and Sogip operators, ensures job opportunities for locals, whether through vendors, subcontractors, or direct employment. Advertisement 'The recent Sogip Open Day, organised by Petronas and other companies, interviewed 450 youths. We urge swift hiring decisions to absorb them into the workforce,' said Dr Yusof at the event's launch. He was joined by Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah, Petronas officials and local leaders. With six companies set to operate in Sogip, including Petroventure, Gibson, Esteel and Sogip Port, total investments are projected at RM72 billion across 4,065 hectares. The construction phase alone will require 3,500 workers, potentially surging to tens of thousands once all plants are operational. The Samur alone will employ 500 permanent staff, with additional roles in maintenance, landscaping and pipeline upkeep. Dr Yusof noted that the influx of workers and their families could boost Sipitang's population to 25,000, spurring demand for housing, vehicle services, food supplies and retail. 'Locals must equip themselves with industry-relevant skills and explore downstream sectors like logistics, food services and childcare,' he added. The Sogip project aligns with the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan and is expected to drive Sipitang's economic growth for decades. * 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
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Risks flagged in Al-Aqar Healthcare Reit's overseas push
KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd remains cautious about Al-Aqar Healthcare Real Estate Investment Trust's (Al-Aqar Reit) plans to expand beyond Malaysia, citing its lack of a proven track record and familiarity with the overseas markets. The concern is supported by the Reit's pending divestment of its only international asset, the Jeta Gardens Aged Care Facility in Australia. Acquired in 2010 for RM132 million, the asset is now being disposed of for RM74.9 million, reflecting a significant 43 per cent discount to the original purchase price. With gearing currently at 41 per cent and expected to rise to 48 per cent following two major acquisitions, CIMB Securities also noted that Al-'Aqar is exploring asset disposals of up to RM65 million to maintain headroom below the 50 per cent regulatory gearing limit. The Reit is in the midst of acquiring two properties — the new buildings of KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital at RM131 million and KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital at RM110 million — with a combined value of RM241 million. "Post acquisition, gearing could increase to around 48 per cent, approaching the regulatory limit of 50 per cent. We note that Al -Aqar is exploring potential asset disposals as part of its capital management efforts. "Based on our estimates, disposals could amount to about RM65 million, which would provide debt headroom of about RM72 million before breaching the regulatory threshold," the firm said. CIMB Securities is also neutral on Al-Aqar Reit's refreshed VENTURE27 strategy that targets a portfolio growth to RM2.3 billion by 2027 through the acquisition of third-party assets and a reduced dependency on hospital assets. "The strategy aims to reduce reliance on a single tenant, KPJ Healthcare Bhd, by expanding into developed regional markets and diversifying across the healthcare supply chain beyond hospital assets," the firm said. Six of its leases are up for renewal in the second half of this year, with five proposals have been submitted for unitholder approval at an upcoming extraordinary general meeting, while discussions for the remaining lease involving KPJ Tawakkal KL Specialist Hospital are ongoing. CIMB Securities kept its "Hold" call on the Reit with a target price of RM1.33 per share, supported by distribution yields of 5.8–6.1 per cent for financial year 2025 (FY25) to FY27.
The Star
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Negri's policy on strays needs a rethink
THE decision by Negri Sembilan state assembly, endorsed by all 36 assemblymen, sanctioning the culling of street dogs has sparked concern among animal rights advocates and concerned citizens. The voices of protest are louder than those in favour of the decision, and the state authorities ought to take heed of this. Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said his administration was left with no other option to address issues of disturbance and safety caused by the free-roaming canines. The decision, he said, had to be taken as the issue had been repeatedly raised and that gave an impression that his team was not doing anything to address it. Aminuddin promised that the stray dogs would only be euthanised if unclaimed from the pound after their capture. Animal welfare groups, however, want the authorities to consider other options to better manage the stray population. While acknowledging cases where aggressive animals pose risks to public safety, they said culling should not be an option. With no proper SOP in place, activists fear the state government's decision would give enforcement agencies free rein to cull all strays. They also claimed inconsistencies in Aminuddin's announcement as he had initially said only aggressive strays with a history of attacking the public would be put to sleep. Animal rights groups said the Negri Sembilan government should shelve the move while waiting for the outcome of proposals submitted to Housing and Local Government Ministry on managing the stray dog population. It should be noted that there are countries which have resorted to culling strays, particularly the animals that were known to have diseases such as rabies. On the other hand, there are also countries that completely prohibit the killing of street dogs and have adopted more humane measures such as spaying and neutering, sheltering them in pounds and promoting adoption. India, for example, has taken the fertility control route rather than culling, and its stray population has reduced. In North America, fertility control has had similar effectiveness over a 20-year period. These statistics, animal rights groups say, show that it is better to control than to kill. Animal welfare groups are asking that they be allowed to manage the issue via the trap-neuter-release (TNR) programme which they claim is the most effective method. They say it takes a minimum of five years for the programme to yield results and that non- governmental organisations should be given time to prove this. It is learned that the TNR programme in Seremban was only launched in 2023. The groups say they are also financially strained and depend heavily on public donations to cover expenses. For example Furrykids Safehaven, which houses some 2,000 strays in Rantau, claims it needs an average RM130,000 a month to run the shelter. More than half the expenses goes to buying 1,200 bags of kibbles − which cost some RM72,000 − for the dogs, followed by salaries for its 11 workers and veterinary bills, which come up to another RM50,000. Volunteers help catch strays for the TNR programme and feed them after they are released, at no cost to the state. To the people who have cared and continue to care for these voiceless animals, the decision by the authorities seems inhumane. We should perhaps take a page from other nations. The Netherlands, now virtually free of stray dogs, adopted a nationwide sterilisation programme in 1996. Homes were found for more than a million dogs without a single one being put to sleep. Another effective policy by the Dutch government was to impose heavy taxes on purchasing pets from stores, which eventually led people to adopt fur babies from shelters instead. Remember Kopi, the playful stray dog shot dead in Besut, Terengganu, during a culling operation? There are tens of thousands like Kopi all over Malaysia. A society is judged not by how it treats its strongest, but by how it cares for those who cannot fight back. The state government must return to the drawing board and come up with a policy that balances public health and safety with humane considerations. Surely, man's best friend deserves better.
