Latest news with #publictrust
Free Malaysia Today
9 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Expediting reforms will make tax hikes easier to swallow, govt told
World Bank's lead economist for Malaysia, Apurva Sanghi, said reducing spending would not be easy as most of it involved 'rigid' costs such as wages, pensions and debt service. PETALING JAYA : The World Bank's lead economist for Malaysia, Apurva Sanghi, says expediting reforms – such as enacting a government procurement law – will make the public less hostile towards tax hikes. In a post on X on the expansion of the sales and service tax, Apurva pointed out that the auditor-general regularly uncovered losses in public funds, irregular payments and wastages across various ministries. While some reforms have been carried out, a specific law to oversee government procurement has been delayed, he said. Apurva said reforms would build public trust, which in turn would make it 'easier to swallow bitter tax hikes'. 'Tax hikes are painful but people can bear them, if they're meaningful. 'This means faster progress, especially on governance reforms and that would increase trust.' Apurva said trust was the ultimate currency for any government. On comparisons made between the SST and the goods and services tax, Apurva said that while both were regressive, it could be made progressive via targeted cash transfers and exemptions. 'The current SST expansion does include progressive elements.' On June 9, the finance ministry announced that a 5% to 10% rate would be imposed on non-essential goods from July 1, although basic necessities would not be taxed. The announcement has triggered brickbats. Apurva also responded to those questioning the government's decision to raise taxes instead of reducing spending. He said while it was a fair question, the country needed to spend more, which meant it needed to raise more revenue. The finance ministry previously said that the SST collection is expected to increase by RM5 billion in 2025 and by RM10 billion in 2026, following the expansion of its scope. Apurva noted that both revenue and spending had dropped by 30% since 2012, which was well below those of global peers. 'Spending needs are only growing, especially as Malaysia ages,' he said, adding that reducing spending would not be easy as most of it involved 'rigid' costs such as wages, pensions and debt service which accounted for 57% of operation expenditure.
The Guardian
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Public trust in science has been eroded, from Covid-19 to climate
Jane Qiu rightly identifies that public trust in science has diminished in recent times (The Covid 'lab leak' theory isn't just a rightwing conspiracy – pretending that's the case is bad for science, 25 June), but she misses some root causes. Scientists and the media often don't differentiate or clearly distinguish between hypotheses, initial findings and accepted scientific understanding when publishing information, leaving the reader/listener confused. The media get viewers, readers or clicks (money); the scientist potentially gets interest that leads to longer tenure or funding. The public gets confused when a report is later refuted or overturned. Universities and the scientists employed by them used to be largely government-funded and independent of industry and politics. Now they are competing for government and private funds and are willing to muddy the waters around hypotheses, preliminary findings and peer-reviews. By doing so they are playing into the hands of anti-science groups. Scientists are now as market-oriented as any other professionals, and it isn't doing society any good. Why believe climate science when the boffins can't even agree on how Covid-19 arose?Steven LeeFaulconbridge, New South Wales, Australia Jane Qiu makes a lot of excellent points. But it is not fair to imply that blame for mistrust in science lies with scientists themselves. It lies with the populist right, and decades of sustained and largely baseless attacks on scientific integrity. Climate denial, anti-vaxxing and lockdown scepticism are three major examples. As well as manufacturing doubt, these bad actors remove any nuance from public debate – reducing complex issues to a binary shouting match. Meanwhile, climate denial has taught us that even statements in private emails can be ripped out of context and splashed across the global media, to promote a false narrative. In such an environment, any communication with the public on contentious issues is a minefield, and it is hardly surprising that many conscientious scientists avoid it. Scientists need to communicate openly and honestly with the public, but we need support from the media, challenging anti-science voices instead of platforming them. Only then can we achieve the sort of thoughtful and honest discussion of scientific evidence that the public deserves. Dr Richard MilneEdinburgh Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
'There's too much crime': New top cop vows to get tough in Victoria
Mike Bush is under no illusion about the challenges that confront him as top cop after a leadership crisis in Australia's second-largest police force. The former New Zealand police commissioner officially took the reins of Victoria Police on Friday, ending a four-month saga among the force's top ranks. Restoring public trust in the troubled force and tackling the state's exploding crime rate are among his initial priorities. 'There's too much crime,' Mr Bush told reporters after a traditional Maori powhiri ceremony and an address to about 360 budding recruits at the state police academy in Glen Waverley. 'There's too much youth crime. Organised crime drives so much harm in our communities. 'We've got to find a way to work with others to get ahead of it.' A self-described outsider, Mr Bush comes to Victoria Police after a highly publicised leadership crisis. An overwhelming no-confidence vote from officers after an 18-month pay dispute cost chief commissioner Shane Patton his job in February. Rick Nugent stepped in as acting chief and expressed an interest in making the move permanent but withdrew from the race in April, citing a lack of drive. Deputy police commissioner Neil Paterson, who was also shown the door, had earlier made a complaint to the corruption watchdog alleging 'gross interference and politicisation of police function' from senior figures. The change at the top of the Victorian force comes after NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb recently announced her early retirement, although she has tipped one of the state's own to replace her. Flanked by Premier Jacinta Allan and Police Minister Anthony Carbines, Mr Bush vowed not to shirk from asking 'hard questions' of them. 'Governments love that,' he said. 'Well the governments I'm used to and I'm sure this government (do) as well ... that is part of my job.' Mr Bush described putting the Victoria Police uniform on for the first time as 'weird but great' and revealed he recently caught up with Mr Patton, whom he had known and respected for many years. 'We might have different ways of policing,' the Kiwi said. 'He shared his advice. I have my own from over 42 years.' The police veteran joined the NZ police force in 1978 and led it from 2014 to 2020, with the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks and Whakaari/White Island volcano eruption among the biggest crises of his tenure. Crime statistics show youth crime in Victoria at its highest point since 1993, when electronic data collection started. The latest figures do not capture the impact of harsher bail laws rushed through parliament by the under-pressure Allan Labor government. Police union boss Wayne Gatt said every police officer and community member in Victoria had a stake in Mr Bush's success. The incoming chief commissioner had a reputation as a leader who listened to officers and prioritised prevention as the greatest weapon against crime, Mr Gatt said. 'We think that these virtues will be invaluable in the fight to win back Victoria,' he said. The Victorian opposition issued a list of 10 priorities for Mr Bush's five-year tenure, including filling officer vacancies and speaking truth to power. 'I hope chief commissioner Bush gets the chance to do that, but at the moment I have no confidence,' Opposition Leader Brad Battin said. Another round of proposed changes to bail laws is expected to be introduced to parliament as early as late July.
CNN
3 days ago
- Health
- CNN
CDC nominee defends Kennedy shakeup of vaccine advisers
Vaccines Federal agencies Water availability Congressional newsFacebookTweetLink Follow US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent move to replace a federal panel of vaccine advisers should help restore Americans' trust in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nominee to lead that agency told senators on Wednesday. Dr. Susan Monarez, President Donald Trump's pick for CDC director, testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee amid increasing alarm from lawmakers about Americans' eroding confidence in vaccine safety under Kennedy's leadership of HHS. The Senate hearing happened the same morning that the CDC's newly appointed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices convened its first meeting in Atlanta despite calls from lawmakers, including HELP Chairman Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, to postpone the meeting. 'The secretary had to make a decision related to ensuring that the ACIP could be supportive of restoring public trust,' Monarez said when asked about the reassembled panel. Kennedy dismissed all 17 ACIP members this month, citing conflicts of interest. Two days later, he named eight new members, several of whom had records of criticizing vaccine safety. As of Wednesday morning, one nominee, Dr. Michael Ross, had withdrawn during a federal review of members' financial holdings. Monarez, a microbiologist and infectious disease expert who has served across several federal health agencies over the years, said she was not familiar with the details of the shakeup but would be open to placing more people on the committee. Although the CDC director can recommend experts to join ACIP, the HHS secretary ultimately signs off on appointments. 'These are not easy positions to fill,' Monarez said. 'It takes a lot of time commitment from some of these highly trained technical experts to want to participate.' Cassidy and several Democratic senators sought reassurances from Monarez that she would protect ACIP's integrity as CDC director. 'Part of the concern is that the people on the panel, although scientifically credentialed, no one has the experience of [an] immunization [background] to say, 'Wait a second: The evidence that you're presenting, there's a lot more evidence to say it's not true.' That responsibility will fall on you,' Cassidy said, echoing concerns that he shared about the panel Monday and pointing to a specific presentation, slated for Thursday, on the preservative thimerosal in certain vaccines. Cassidy also brought up mRNA, the technology in widely used Covid-19 vaccines that has early promise in other immunizations and potential therapies. Some vaccine critics, including new ACIP member Dr. Robert Malone, have touted unproven theories that mRNA vaccines can cause cancer and other serious side effects. 'If we turn our back on that platform, we're turning our back on solutions to Lyme disease, which is terribly debilitating, to HIV, which is a scourge,' Cassidy said. He pressed Monarez to include experts on the ACIP panel who have experience with mRNA and immunology. She agreed. 'We absolutely need highly trained scientists and professionals to be able to participate,' Monarez said. ACIP 'is such a vital part of the CDC. It's such a vital, vital process.' The nominee also said several times that 'vaccines save lives.' At other points during the hearing, Monarez distanced herself from other Trump administration directives, including mass layoffs at the CDC and proposals to eliminate certain programs. Monarez, who served as the CDC's deputy director from January to March and later as acting director, said repeatedly that she was not familiar with the details of layoffs that stalled lead poisoning prevention efforts or anti-tobacco education campaigns. Monarez said she was not involved in personnel decisionmaking during those Department of Government Efficiency-led layoff, though she later said she worked with CDC staff to 'make sure we were reinforcing' the reduction in force plans. Kennedy has been critical of the addition of fluoride to public water supplies, but Monarez was more noncommittal when questioned by Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat, about the HHS secretary's plans to end CDC support of fluoridation in state and local drinking water. 'Fluoride is an important component to oral health,' Monarez said. Alsobrooks noted that the public water supply in Potomac, Maryland, where Monarez lives, is fluoridated and asked Monarez whether it is safe. 'I believe the water in Potomac, Maryland, is safe,' Monarez replied. Trump chose Monarez to lead the agency after withdrawing his first nominee, former Florida congressman Dr. Dave Weldon, from consideration. In a public letter after his withdrawal, Weldon accused Cassidy and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine of cratering his nomination amid concerns over his vaccine views.
CNN
3 days ago
- Health
- CNN
CDC nominee defends Kennedy shakeup of vaccine advisers
Vaccines Federal agencies Water availability Congressional newsFacebookTweetLink Follow US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent move to replace a federal panel of vaccine advisers should help restore Americans' trust in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nominee to lead that agency told senators on Wednesday. Dr. Susan Monarez, President Donald Trump's pick for CDC director, testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee amid increasing alarm from lawmakers about Americans' eroding confidence in vaccine safety under Kennedy's leadership of HHS. The Senate hearing happened the same morning that the CDC's newly appointed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices convened its first meeting in Atlanta despite calls from lawmakers, including HELP Chairman Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, to postpone the meeting. 'The secretary had to make a decision related to ensuring that the ACIP could be supportive of restoring public trust,' Monarez said when asked about the reassembled panel. Kennedy dismissed all 17 ACIP members this month, citing conflicts of interest. Two days later, he named eight new members, several of whom had records of criticizing vaccine safety. As of Wednesday morning, one nominee, Dr. Michael Ross, had withdrawn during a federal review of members' financial holdings. Monarez, a microbiologist and infectious disease expert who has served across several federal health agencies over the years, said she was not familiar with the details of the shakeup but would be open to placing more people on the committee. Although the CDC director can recommend experts to join ACIP, the HHS secretary ultimately signs off on appointments. 'These are not easy positions to fill,' Monarez said. 'It takes a lot of time commitment from some of these highly trained technical experts to want to participate.' Cassidy and several Democratic senators sought reassurances from Monarez that she would protect ACIP's integrity as CDC director. 'Part of the concern is that the people on the panel, although scientifically credentialed, no one has the experience of [an] immunization [background] to say, 'Wait a second: The evidence that you're presenting, there's a lot more evidence to say it's not true.' That responsibility will fall on you,' Cassidy said, echoing concerns that he shared about the panel Monday and pointing to a specific presentation, slated for Thursday, on the preservative thimerosal in certain vaccines. Cassidy also brought up mRNA, the technology in widely used Covid-19 vaccines that has early promise in other immunizations and potential therapies. Some vaccine critics, including new ACIP member Dr. Robert Malone, have touted unproven theories that mRNA vaccines can cause cancer and other serious side effects. 'If we turn our back on that platform, we're turning our back on solutions to Lyme disease, which is terribly debilitating, to HIV, which is a scourge,' Cassidy said. He pressed Monarez to include experts on the ACIP panel who have experience with mRNA and immunology. She agreed. 'We absolutely need highly trained scientists and professionals to be able to participate,' Monarez said. ACIP 'is such a vital part of the CDC. It's such a vital, vital process.' The nominee also said several times that 'vaccines save lives.' At other points during the hearing, Monarez distanced herself from other Trump administration directives, including mass layoffs at the CDC and proposals to eliminate certain programs. Monarez, who served as the CDC's deputy director from January to March and later as acting director, said repeatedly that she was not familiar with the details of layoffs that stalled lead poisoning prevention efforts or anti-tobacco education campaigns. Monarez said she was not involved in personnel decisionmaking during those Department of Government Efficiency-led layoff, though she later said she worked with CDC staff to 'make sure we were reinforcing' the reduction in force plans. Kennedy has been critical of the addition of fluoride to public water supplies, but Monarez was more noncommittal when questioned by Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Democrat, about the HHS secretary's plans to end CDC support of fluoridation in state and local drinking water. 'Fluoride is an important component to oral health,' Monarez said. Alsobrooks noted that the public water supply in Potomac, Maryland, where Monarez lives, is fluoridated and asked Monarez whether it is safe. 'I believe the water in Potomac, Maryland, is safe,' Monarez replied. Trump chose Monarez to lead the agency after withdrawing his first nominee, former Florida congressman Dr. Dave Weldon, from consideration. In a public letter after his withdrawal, Weldon accused Cassidy and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine of cratering his nomination amid concerns over his vaccine views.
