Latest news with #UniversitiTeknologiMara
Sinar Daily
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Seribu Tahun opens dialogue, not agendas, on LGBTQ+ themes in Malay-Muslim storytelling
For many Malaysians who tuned into Seribu Tahun, the show's exploration of LGBTQ+ themes might appear bold, even unexpected. But to those who have closely followed the trajectory of its creators, this narrative choice felt like an earnest effort to grapple with the realities on our social periphery. Through heightened emotion, layered storytelling and a cultural lens rooted in local sensibilities, it dares to engage with contemporary issues often whispered but rarely explored in mainstream media. A deliberate and responsible narrative approach Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Faculty of Film, Theatre and Animation lecturer, Ts Mastura Muhammad believes this approach is far from haphazard. It is, in fact, grounded in deep cultural reflection and narrative responsibility. 'I approach Seribu Tahun with a critical awareness of its narrative ambition and the socio-cultural realities it seeks to engage. Having followed the director and production team's earlier works, it is clear they consistently produce high-quality content grounded in Malay-Muslim sociocultural contexts. 'Within this framework, the inclusion of LGBT themes in Seribu Tahun does not come across as an imposed agenda, but rather as a deliberate, reflective engagement with pressing contemporary issues. 'This thematic direction suggests a responsible and courageous attempt to expose, educate and interrogate societal anxieties; often through narrative exaggeration or heightened emotion to ensure audience engagement,' she said in an interview with Sinar Daily. Mastura pointed out that the series is not merely provocative for provocation's sake, but instead strives to expose, educate and interrogate societal anxieties, often through narrative exaggeration or heightened emotion to ensure audience engagement. But how does this creative risk play out within Malaysia's complex cultural and religious tapestry? To understand that, Mastura suggests we shift our view of media from mirror to lens. 'In the Malaysian context, the common saying 'art imitates life' may oversimplify the role of media. A more fitting interpretation might be that art represents life; filtered through cultural, political and narrative conventions. 'Since genres like science fiction are still developing in our local television landscape, most Malaysian dramas remain rooted in social realism, thereby serving as platforms for social commentary. Within this genre, directors often use heightened storytelling elements to maintain emotional engagement. 'It is essential, however, to view a drama series in its entirety rather than focusing on isolated scenes. Often, controversial moments are juxtaposed with scenes that offer resolution or contextual balance. 'This dialectical structure - tension followed by resolution - is central to storytelling. Thus, even representations of LGBT identities that may provoke discomfort can spark necessary dialogue within Malaysia's multicultural and multi-religious society,' she added. Seribu Tahun's narrative sparks dialogue, not agendas, on LGBT themes in Malay-Muslim storytelling. Photo: Facebook The importance of media literacy and audience interpretation Of course, any depiction of marginalised communities - particularly in a conservative society - risks misinterpretation. But here, media literacy plays a crucial role. Mastura highlighted the shift away from outdated assumptions of how media influences audiences. 'From a media studies lens, it is important to recognise that audience reception is neither passive nor homogenous. Viewers interpret content through a range of filters -cultural background, religious belief, education and socio-political context. 'The once-dominant 'hypodermic needle' theory of media influence has long given way to more nuanced models like encoding or decoding, which recognise varied audience interpretations. 'The fear that media representation directly shapes youth behaviour is often exaggerated and not strongly supported by empirical evidence. On the contrary, when stories involving marginalised identities are told with cultural sensitivity and narrative depth, they can foster empathy, understanding and critical reflection,' she said. It is within this space - 'between provocation and pedagogy, representation and restraint,' as Mastura puts it - that Seribu Tahun finds its power and perhaps, its purpose.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Hormuz crisis could shake Malaysia's supply chains, inflation stability, experts warn
KUALA LUMPUR: The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt Malaysia's supply chains, fuel inflation and strain small businesses, economists have warned. Universiti Teknologi Mara Malaysian Academy of SME and Entrepreneurship Development coordinator Dr Mohamad Idham Md Razak said a shutdown of the vital shipping lane could cause far-reaching economic shockwaves. "Some 21 million barrels of oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz daily. If that flow is disrupted, vessels will be forced to divert around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10 to 15 days in shipping time. "These delays will result in higher freight costs and fuel prices, which would directly impact Malaysia's just-in-time production processes, especially in manufacturing," he said. He added that rising import costs would squeeze margins for SMEs and raise inflationary pressures on consumers. While Malaysia may benefit from higher oil prices as a net energy exporter, Idham cautioned that the gains could be offset by rising import costs and the spill-over effects of global trade and supply chain dysfunction. "Malaysia imports roughly 30 per cent of its refined fuel, so petrol and diesel prices may rise by as much as 20 sen per litre. This could push overall core inflation up by one to two percentage points, disproportionately affecting lower-income households," he said. He said downstream sectors, particularly agriculture, logistics, and manufacturing, would face cascading cost increases, driven by higher fuel and transport expenses, he added. Port Klang, a key regional hub, could also see a decline in throughput as global shipping routes are disrupted and regional trade logistics become more volatile. "Malaysia's export base is diverse, but the manufacturing sector makes up about 31 per cent of GDP. "With limited fiscal space, such as the government debt standing at around 64 per cent of GDP, there is little room to provide broad subsidies or wage relief," he said. He warned that SMEs, which generally have less pricing power and thinner margins, are likely to bear the brunt of volatile input costs. "SMEs don't have the capacity to absorb price shocks the way large corporations do. Many are already operating in a tight environment. "A prolonged crisis could see closures or workforce reductions, further straining the economy." Idham added that the economic impact would extend beyond Malaysia, affecting many Asian economies heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy imports and export-driven manufacturing. "Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea import large volumes of crude oil and liquefied natural gas from the Middle East. "A disruption would drive up their energy costs, widen trade deficits, and trigger inflationary pressure across key sectors," he said. Rising shipping costs and longer delivery times would also weaken Asia's export competitiveness, leading to higher prices for finished goods such as electronics, vehicles and machinery. Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia School of International Studies senior lecturer Asrar Omar said Asean countries would face both immediate and long-term consequences if the strait was closed. "The strait accounts for about 20 per cent of global oil shipments, much of which is destined for Asian markets including Asean. "A disruption would cause an immediate spike in oil prices, particularly in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)," he said. Vietnam and Malaysia, he added, would be among the hardest hit due to their reliance on energy for manufacturing and semiconductor industries. "Higher fuel costs will drive up production costs and undermine competitiveness. "Asean nations would have to seek alternative and more expensive energy sources, compounding inflationary pressure," he said. He added that the tourism industry in Thailand could also be affected due to higher transport costs, while delays caused by shipping reroutes may lead to congestion in the Straits of Malacca. "Asean economies rely heavily on exports, which in turn depend on smooth imports. Rising freight rates and delays will increase trade costs, affecting everything from industrial production to consumer goods," Asrar said. He said that prolonged price shocks could lead to economic slowdowns across the region. "In import-dependent Asean countries, sustained inflation will reduce consumer spending and deter business investment. "If the crisis persists, the long-term effects on consumer prices could be severe." With many Asean nations still lagging in energy transition efforts, Asrar said diversifying supply chains would be difficult. "Asean may have to invest more aggressively in renewable energy and explore alternative trade routes. "There also needs to be a shift from a consumption-based to a production-based mindset to ensure long-term energy and economic security," he said.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Insolvency Department aims to release 200,000 from bankruptcy by end of 2025
SHAH ALAM: The Insolvency Department aims to release 200,000 individuals from bankruptcy by year-end, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. She said so far, 186,000 individuals had been discharged, allowing them a fresh start in life. "Last year, we discharged 180,000 individuals. So far, the number discharged is 186,000. We hope to reach a total of 200,000 by the end of the year. "We are trying to expedite this process as it is a directive from the prime minister under the Second Chance Policy," she told reporters after the launch of the Financial Literacy Programme at Public and Private Higher Learning Institutions, held at Universiti Teknologi Mara. Under the policy, it aims to discharge bankruptcy for young individuals aged 40 and below with debts not exceeding RM200,000. Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that people fell into bankruptcy due to various factors, including recklessness, business mistakes, a slow economy, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Azalina said that from 2021 to May this year, a total of 25,578 individuals were declared bankrupt. Of the total, 70 were individuals aged below 25 years old; 25 to 34 year-old (3,725 individuals); 35 to 44 year-old (10,145 individuals); 45 to 54 year-old (7,256 individuals); 55 years old and above (4,222 individuals), and 160 individuals had no information recorded. Over the same period, men recorded the highest number of bankruptcies with 18,590 individuals, while women at 6,903 individuals and 85 individuals had no information recorded. Earlier in her speech, Azalina said the Madani government continuously strives to enhance the level of financial literacy among Malaysians to build financial resilience and ensure the wellbeing of the people in the future. "This is in line with the principle of ensuring human wellbeing under the strategic pillars of Malaysia Madani. "Therefore, this literacy programme that we are holding today is one of the proactive steps taken by the government to bring laws and knowledge related to financial management and literacy to the people, especially students in institutions of higher learning who are about to enter the workforce and the real world. "Strong financial literacy is crucial to prevent today's youth from falling into serious debt." Azalina added that, according to the records from the department, the majority of current bankruptcy cases involve young people. "We are concerned that if the younger generation, who are the future of the nation, face serious debt issues and eventually fall into bankruptcy, it will be detrimental to the country." Present at the event were the Insolvency Department deputy director Azwarnida Affandi and Universiti Teknologi Mara vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Shahrin Sahib. Ends
The Star
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Zero sales tax on local fruits will strengthen national economy, says experts
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's decision to maintain a zero Sales Tax for local fruits will not only encourage Malaysians to incorporate these agricultural products into their daily diet but will also be able to contribute to the national economy, according to experts. Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Melaka branch, Jasin Campus, Associate Professor Dr Fazleen Abdul Fatah said this was because, aside from being highly nutritious, local fruits would remain reasonably priced and accessible to the public with the zero Sales Tax in place. "Local fruits such as papaya and mango are naturally very rich in various nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and fibre, which are good for addressing skin, cellular, and heart-related health issues. "The content of bioactive compounds found in local fruits is also able to act as natural antioxidants, boost the immune system, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and many more," she told Bernama. According to Fazleen, local fruits will also be more easily available because these agricultural products do not need to go through a long transit period to be in the market, compared to imported fruits "Purchasing local fruits can also help ensure the country's agricultural industry continues to grow and stabilise the food sector," she said. A lecturer at the Department of Food Services Management, UiTM Puncak Alam, Selangor, Associate Professor Dr Zuraini Mat Issa@Zakaria, said Malaysia could reduce its dependence on imported fruits if the community prioritised local fruits "In addition to the high costs of importing foreign fruits, it also contributes to a larger carbon footprint and environmental impact due to long transportation distances, high energy consumption for storage and packaging, and increased greenhouse gas emissions," she said. For that reason, she supported the government's move to maintain zero per cent Sales Tax on basic daily necessities, including local fruits, starting July 1. Zuraini said it would be more appropriate for the government to consider imposing taxes on unhealthy snacks and ultra-processed foods, as these products are among the main contributors to health issues such as obesity, diabetes and cancer in the community. "When local fruits become a more affordable option compared to snacks and ultra-processed foods, people will be more motivated to choose healthier alternatives, which in turn will increase demand for local fruits. "In this way, it can help boost domestic production and contribute to the stability of the country's agro-food sector," she said. A lecturer at the Centre for Dietetic Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, (UiTM) Puncak Alam, Mazuin Kamarul Zaman, said the price of local fruits would remain low because they are not subject to tax burdens, thus encouraging consumers to choose fruits as snacks or daily meals. "For that, the public is advised to buy local fruits because they are fresher and more affordable than imported fruits," he said. He said continuous support from various quarters, including schools, the media, and local communities, for local traders and farmers' markets selling fresh agricultural produce is crucial to fostering greater public awareness of the benefits of local fruits. "Parents are encouraged to set a good example by consistently preparing fruit at home, thus building healthy eating habits among families and raising awareness of the benefits of local fruits to children from a young age," he said. On June 9, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, through a statement on the implementation of the Sales Tax review, announced that among the basic goods whose Sales Tax remains zero are local fruits. - Bernama
Malaysiakini
20-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Zero sales tax on local fruits will boost economy
The government's decision to maintain a zero sales tax for local fruits will not only encourage Malaysians to incorporate these agricultural products into their daily diet but will also be able to contribute to the national economy, according to experts. Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Malacca branch, Jasin campus, Associate Professor Fazleen Abdul Fatah said this was because, aside from being highly nutritious, local fruits would remain reasonably priced and accessible to the public.
