Latest news with #Sim
Borneo Post
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
More seats, better representation: SUPP Stakan branch chief supports potential Sarawak redelineation
Sim says social and economic issues can be heard and tackled more effectively, ultimately improving the quality of life for all Sarawakians. KUCHING (June 28): Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Stakan branch chairman Dato Sim Kiang Chiok believes that an increase in the number of state and parliamentary seats in Sarawak would be a positive development, even though talks on redelineation remain speculative at this stage. 'As for how potential new boundaries could impact the next election, I believe that having more constituencies will enhance representation for Sarawakians. 'With more elected representatives, we can better address the unique challenges faced by both urban and rural communities. 'Social and economic issues can be heard and tackled more effectively, ultimately improving the quality of life for all Sarawakians,' he said in a statement todau. Sim was responding to news reports speculating that a motion to increase the number of constituencies in Sarawak could be tabled during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) special sitting this July 7. He clarified that only the redelineation of state constituencies could be tabled and decided in the DUN, whereas parliamentary constituencies would fall under the federal jurisdiction and require action at the national level. 'Beyond redelineation, it is also possible that the Sarawak government during the July 7 special DUN sitting may have other pressing priorities to address first, such as matters relating to Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) or Sarawak's rights over oil and gas resources, both of which are fundamental to our state's autonomy and economic future,' he said. 'Regarding the timing of a redelineation, our laws stipulate that redelineation exercises must be carried out within a certain time frame to ensure fair and updated representation. 'Therefore, if the timeline under the Federal Constitution is approaching while also taking into account of the adjustment for one third of parliamentary seats for Sarawak and Sabah, it would be both necessary and timely to conduct a redelineation to reflect current realities on the ground and agreement in our MA63,' he added. Asked about how many new state seats would make sense for Sarawak, Sim believed that the Election Commission (EC) would propose a number based on established criteria, including population size, the number of voters, and geographical considerations. 'These objective measures will help ensure a fair and balanced representation across our vast state. However, it is critical to recognise that population numbers alone should not be the only factor guiding redelineation in Sarawak.' Sim pointed out Sarawak's unique geography, marked by expansive rural areas with low population density, meant that many communities were spread far apart and infrastructure in some of these areas remained underdeveloped. 'As such, redrawing boundaries solely based on population without considering physical size and accessibility would place an undue burden on the elected representatives, who would struggle to effectively serve constituents across vast, sparsely populated territories. 'While the prospect of a redelineation exercise has generated understandable interest, it is vital that we approach this issue with clarity, patience, and a firm commitment to fair representation. 'Thus, I urge all stakeholders to stay engaged and informed as developments unfold, so that any decision made truly serves the best interests of our beloved Sarawak.' redelineation Sim Kiang Chiok
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang must move beyond low-cost model to stay globally competitive
GEORGE TOWN: Penang must transition away from the traditional low-cost economic model and embrace innovation, high-value creation and local enterprise development to remain globally competitive. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said that while the low-cost model had helped shape Penang into a manufacturing hub over the past decades, the state must now chart a new path towards economic sustainability through its next phase — Penang 3.0. In a statement released today following the INPenang International Awards 2025 held on June 21, Sim said the Penang 3.0 vision aims to transform the state from a global manufacturing hub into a centre of innovation, technology and high-value creation, driven by local talents and enterprises. "If Penang 2.0 was about global companies coming to Penang to make their products here, Penang 3.0 must be about supporting our own start-ups towards higher value creation. "Moving forward, we must build on our legacy to produce our homegrown 4Ts - talents, tech, things and trademarks. "In other words, over the next 50 years, we want to transform from 'Made in Penang' to 'Made by Penang'," he said. Sim said he was confident that with the right policies and incentives, Penang would be able to sustain its reputation as a global brand of the highest quality. He also acknowledged the achievements of the Penang state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, whose administration has driven several landmark projects that are providing major uplifts for Penang, such as the expansion of Penang International Airport and the Mutiara Line LRT. – Bernama
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Penang urged to shift from low-cost model to innovation for global edge
GEORGE TOWN: Penang must move beyond its reliance on low-cost manufacturing and adopt a strategy focused on innovation, high-value creation, and local enterprise development to maintain its global competitiveness, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. Speaking at the iNPenang International Awards 2025 held on June 21, Sim emphasised that while the low-cost model had positioned Penang as a manufacturing powerhouse over the past decades, the state must now evolve under its next phase, dubbed Penang 3.0. 'If Penang 2.0 was about global companies coming to Penang to make their products here, Penang 3.0 must be about supporting our own start-ups towards higher value creation,' Sim said in a statement released today. The Penang 3.0 vision seeks to transform the state from a manufacturing hub into a centre of innovation, technology, and high-value production, powered by local talent and businesses. Sim highlighted the need to cultivate homegrown capabilities in four key areas—talents, tech, things, and trademarks—to shift from 'Made in Penang' to 'Made by Penang' over the next 50 years. He also commended the Penang state government, led by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, for driving major infrastructure projects such as the expansion of Penang International Airport and the Mutiara Line LRT, which are set to boost the state's economic prospects. Sim expressed confidence that with the right policies and incentives, Penang could sustain its reputation as a high-quality global brand.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Mediation saves RM60 million in workplace disputes, says HR minister
GEORGE TOWN: Mediation has proven to be a cost-effective and efficient method for resolving workplace disputes, saving employers and employees millions while fostering industrial harmony. Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong highlighted that 65 per cent of cases referred to the Department of Industrial Relations were successfully resolved through mediation in 2024, preventing unnecessary legal battles. Speaking at the inaugural Industrial Mediation Symposium 2025, Sim noted that mediation handled over 3,000 cases this year, reducing the burden on the Industrial Court. 'If each court case costs RM20,000 for both parties, mediation has saved more than RM60 million in 2024 alone,' he said. Before disputes escalate to court, the Department of Industrial Relations employs alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, primarily conciliation meetings, to settle conflicts amicably. Currently, 122 industrial relations officers (IROs) trained in professional mediation assist workers and employers in reaching swift resolutions. Sim emphasised the ministry's commitment to enhancing mediation expertise through partnerships with international bodies like the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and local institutions such as the Kuala Lumpur Mediation Centre and the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF). Since 2024, collaboration with the US Department of Labour has further strengthened officers' mediation skills. The symposium, organised by the Society of JP Community Mediators Penang (SJPCMP) alongside the JP Mediation Bureau Penang and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), aimed to promote mediation as a key tool for workplace conflict resolution.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Mediation Key To Industrial Harmony, Cost Savings In Workplace Disputes
REGION - NORTHERN > NEWS GEORGE TOWN, June 27 (Bernama) -- Mediation, as a primary mechanism for resolving workplace disputes, helps save time and costs while preserving industrial harmony. Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong stated that industrial relations officers (IRO) under the ministry successfully resolved 65 per cent of cases referred to the director-general of the Department of Industrial Relations annually via mediation, representing over 3,000 cases in 2024. "In other words, only 35 per cent of disputes proceeded to the Industrial Court. bootstrap slideshow "If each case appearing before the court costs both employers and employees about RM20,000, we are looking at cost savings of more than RM60 million in 2024 alone," he said in his keynote address at the inaugural Industrial Mediation Symposium 2025 held here recently. Sim added that even before cases are referred to the Industrial Court, the Department of Industrial Relations under the ministry employs alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, primarily through conciliation meetings, to settle disputes amicably. Currently, he said, 122 IROs under the ministry serve as conciliators to help workers and employers resolve conflicts swiftly and peacefully. Sim said these officers receive professional mediation training through collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) at the International Training Centre in Turin, Italy, as well as other institutions such as the Kuala Lumpur Mediation Centre and the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF). Beginning in 2024, he said, the Human Resource Ministry also partnered with the United States Department of Labour to further strengthen its officers' capacity in industrial mediation. The one-day symposium on June 21 was organised by the Society of JP Community Mediators Penang (SJPCMP), in collaboration with the JP Mediation Bureau Penang and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).
