Latest news with #Rahimah
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Plan needed to raise retirement age
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia could miss out on the untapped economic potential of its ageing population if it fails to act now by investing in skills training and creating age-friendly workplaces for those aged 45 and above. The warning comes from Universiti Putra Malaysia's Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing (MyAgeing) director, Assoc Prof Dr Rahimah Ibrahim, following a recent call by former Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt for countries like Malaysia to consider raising the retirement age to 75 to ease pension pressures. Closer to home, last month Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said suggested the government consider extending Malaysia's retirement age to 65, noting that many Malaysians remain active, capable and energetic well into their 60s. Malaysia last raised the retirement age in 2014 — to 60, from 58 in the public sector and 55 in the private sector. However, Rahimah warned that Malaysia is not yet prepared to support adults working into their 70s. She stressed that any changes to the retirement framework must be gradual and flexible, not abrupt. 'Working longer must be a choice backed by robust systems, not a necessity born out of financial desperation. 'Rather than fixating on a single retirement age, we should link pensionable age to gains in healthy life expectancy, and ensure early-exit options remain available, especially for physically demanding jobs.' She said senior workers need adaptable, meaningful roles and the right support to stay healthy and productive. While Sweden has successfully kept senior adults in the workforce, Rahimah said that achievement came after decades of investment in near-universal pension coverage, retraining programmes, and inclusive labour policies – elements that Malaysia currently lacks. 'In Sweden, over 80% of those aged 55 to 64 are still working. In Malaysia, it's just under 50%. 'More than half of senior Malaysian workers are in informal employment, with no social protection, limited upskilling and little ergonomic support.' She added that health is another limiting factor. 'According to the World Health Organisation, Malaysians aged 60 have an average of 18.5 healthy years remaining, compared with the 21 years in Sweden. 'We can't expect people to work longer if their bodies are already exhausted. Health must be part of the retirement equation.' Rahimah also flagged concerns about financial preparedness. 'Only 36% of active Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors reach the basic savings threshold of RM240,000 by age 55. 'The updated benchmark, based on the Belanjawanku model, is RM650,000 – roughly RM2,690 a month for 20 years. But most low-income workers fall short. 'A B40 household earning RM3,401 a month may retire with just RM180,000 – enough for only RM750 a month,' she said. Rahimah argued that EPF savings alone are not enough, and called for a three-pillar model: personal savings, a universal pension floor and long-term care insurance. Her colleague, senior research officer Chai Sen Tyng agreed and called for a unified retirement policy that ensures portability of savings across job sectors. 'Our system wasn't built for longer lifespans. 'We need a national health financing model that supports people across the life course, from early screening to rehabilitation and community care. 'Our healthcare remains too hospital-centric, too expensive and often out of reach for older Malaysians.' Chai added that healthy ageing should be viewed as an intergenerational investment, not just a senior citizen issue. 'We continue to work in silos. What we need is integrated thinking and coordinated reform.' Former MyAgeing director and gerontology expert Datuk Dr Tengku Aizan Tengku Abdul Hamid echoed this, urging a fundamental rethink of how Malaysia perceives ageing. 'Let's stop asking what older people cost and start asking what value we can unlock from healthy longevity. 'Malaysia has the capacity to lead in this space. What we lack is political will and imagination.' Rather than raising the retirement age, she said Malaysia should prioritise reemployment opportunities and flexible work arrangements. 'Our institutions haven't kept up with how people live and work today. It's time we stop viewing senior adults as dependents and start seeing them as contributors,' she said.
Daily Express
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
MACC told to restore public confidence in mining probe
Published on: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 17, 2025 Text Size: Rahimah said the commission should provide a public update on the status of investigations involving all individuals named by the whistleblower and urgently introduce external oversight, either through a Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption or the creation of an Independent Anti-Corruption Ombudsman. Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must take immediate steps to restore public confidence by ensuring transparency in its Sabah mining scandal probe, says Sabah Bersatu Women Chief Rahimah Majid. Rahimah said the commission should provide a public update on the status of investigations involving all individuals named by the whistleblower and urgently introduce external oversight, either through a Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption or the creation of an Independent Anti-Corruption Ombudsman. Advertisement 'These steps are essential to rebuild trust. Malaysians deserve full clarity on who is being investigated, and they need to see that no one is above the law,' she asserted. Her remarks follow MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki's recent statement confirming that at least two individuals are expected to be charged soon in connection with alleged bribery tied to a controversial mining project in Sabah. However, the whistleblower who initially exposed the scandal claims that at least eight other individuals were involved, raising serious concerns about the completeness of the current investigations. 'The people must be assured that justice is being applied fairly. It's troubling if only a few individuals are held accountable when more names have reportedly been submitted to the MACC,' she said. She stressed that the scandal extends beyond state-level politics, highlighting it as a national test of Malaysia's commitment to transparency, accountability, and equal justice. * 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
The Star
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sabah mining: MACC must restore public confidence, says Bersatu women's chief
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must take immediate steps to restore public confidence by ensuring transparency in its Sabah mining scandal probe, says Sabah Bersatu Women chief Rahimah Majid. Rahimah said that the commission should provide a public update on the status of investigations involving all individuals named by the whistleblower and urgently introduce external oversight, either through a Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption or the creation of an Independent Anti-Corruption Ombudsman. "These steps are essential to rebuild trust. Malaysians deserve full clarity on who is being investigated, and they need to see that no one is above the law," she asserted. Her remarks follow MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki's recent statement confirming that at least two individuals are expected to be charged soon in connection with alleged bribery tied to a controversial mining project in Sabah. However, the whistleblower who initially exposed the scandal claims that at least eight other individuals were involved, raising serious concerns about the completeness of the current investigations. "The people must be assured that justice is being applied fairly. It's troubling if only a few individuals are held accountable when more names have reportedly been submitted to the MACC," she said. She stressed that the scandal extends beyond state-level politics, highlighting it as a national test of Malaysia's commitment to transparency, accountability, and equal justice. "Sabahans are watching. Malaysians are watching. Justice must not be selective. This is not just about one case; it is about whether our institutions can be trusted to act impartially," she added.
Borneo Post
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
MACC must come clean — no cherry-picking in Sabah mining scandal - Rahimah
Rahimah KOTA KINABALU (June 15): The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) must demonstrate transparency and full accountability in its investigation to pursue all individuals implicated in the Sabah mining scandal without fear or favour, said Sabah Bersatu Women chief Rahimah Majid. Her remarks follow a recent news report quoting MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki, who confirmed that at least two individuals are expected to be charged soon in connection with the alleged bribery linked to a controversial mining project approval in Sabah. However, the whistleblower who first exposed the scandal has since warned that at least eight more individuals were involved — beyond those currently being investigated. Rahimah said the revelations, allegedly implicating a group of senior Sabah politicians, not only highlight the depth of corruption but also expose the urgent need for accountability from enforcement bodies entrusted with upholding the law. 'As a practising lawyer committed to justice — and as a citizen who values democratic integrity — I am deeply concerned by what appears to be selective prosecution in the MACC's handling of this case,' she said. She added that the whistleblower's claim of additional names being involved, while only one or two have been charged, should serve as a wake-up call to all Malaysians who believe in equal justice under the law. 'If there are more names involved, then MACC has a duty to investigate every single one of them — regardless of status, position, or political affiliation. 'The people deserve the full truth — not a watered-down version of it. Justice must never be cherry-picked,' she stressed. Rahimah warned that any attempt to sweep matters under the rug would not go unnoticed. 'Sabahans are watching. Malaysians are watching. We will not accept selective justice. The time for silence and inaction is over,' she said. She also praised Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students for the courage to hold Azam Baki accountable over his remarks, saying young Malaysians must be empowered to question authority when transparency is at stake. Rahimah emphasised that the MACC's narrow focus, despite clear indications of a broader conspiracy, threatens the public's faith in equal justice. 'The law must apply equally, whether the suspects are high-ranking officials, politicians, or well-connected business figures. Why have the other names not been investigated, especially when the whistleblower has already furnished details?' she asked. She warned that such selective investigations would only further erode public trust in the MACC and Malaysia's broader anti-corruption efforts. 'The MACC claims to be independent, but public perception increasingly suggests otherwise. There are growing fears it may be operating under political pressure — shielding certain individuals from scrutiny due to their affiliations,' she said. To restore credibility, Rahimah urged the MACC to take immediate steps to ensure transparency, including: 1. Publicly disclosing the status of investigations into all names provided by the whistleblower; and 2. Ensuring external oversight — through a Parliamentary Select Committee on Corruption or the establishment of an Independent Anti-Corruption Ombudsman.
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Bersatu distorted facts over Banggi solar project - MP
Suhaimi KOTA KINABALU (May 27): Libaran Member of Parliament Datuk Suhaimi Nasir has slammed Sabah Bersatu for politicising the hybrid solar energy project on Banggi Island, accusing the party of distorting facts to gain 'cheap political mileage.' In response to recent claims by Bersatu Sabah Women chief Rahimah Majid who demanded clarification from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on the project, Suhaimi said her accusations were baseless, misleading and ignored the actual circumstances surrounding the project. 'Her allegations are not grounded in facts and are sensational in tone. They not only confuse the public but also expose Bersatu's lack of understanding regarding the technical details of the project,' Suhaimi said in a statement on Tuesday. Suhaimi clarified that the Rural Electrification Supply Project (BELB) for a hybrid solar system on Banggi Island had in fact been fully completed in 2015, long before Zahid assumed leadership of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW). 'The project was handed over to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) for operation and maintenance. Any technical problems after the handover fall under SESB's responsibility — not KKDW's,' he stressed. He also noted that the villages named by Rahimah, Kampung Selamat, Pulau Tigabu and Pulau Balambangan, fall under a separate ongoing project: the Hybrid Solar System for Remote Islands of Sabah, which is currently 85% completed, with a delay of 349 days or 15 percent behind schedule. 'The KKDW Technical Division is in the process of terminating the contractor due to failure to meet both deadlines and standards. A follow-up site inspection is scheduled for June 16, 2025. This shows the government is taking clear and transparent action,' he said. Suhaimi also took issue with Rahimah's claim that the project was launched with great fanfare but later abandoned. 'That's a deliberate attempt to create a false narrative to distract from the real issue — the inefficiencies of the current state administration under GRS, which once included Bersatu,' he said. He further pointed out that the very projects now being criticised were initiated during Bersatu's own time in government. 'It is ironic. They inherited and implemented these projects, but now they want to blame others. This is not only irresponsible, but a complete embarrassment in terms of political integrity,' he added. Calling on Bersatu Sabah to stop 'barking from the sidelines,' Suhaimi urged the party to engage constructively and 'step into the arena to solve actual problems.' 'Sabahans are smart enough to see through political gimmicks. They know who delivers and who disappears when responsibility needs to be carried,' he said. 'Politics should be based on facts, not slander.' The Banggi Island solar project has recently drawn public scrutiny following concerns about delays and implementation setbacks in several remote villages. Suhaimi's remarks come as the federal government continues to monitor and enforce project accountability across rural Sabah.
