logo
500 police deployed for ASEAN meetings in Port Dickson

500 police deployed for ASEAN meetings in Port Dickson

The Sun21-06-2025
PORT DICKSON: Around 500 police personnel will be mobilised by the Negeri Sembilan Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to ensure the smooth running and security of the ASEAN meetings scheduled in Port Dickson this September.
State police chief Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof said the deployment is aimed at safeguarding the high-level event, which will involve leaders, senior officials, and delegates from across the region.
As part of preparedness efforts, the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), through the First Infantry Brigade, conducted the Urban Shield Exercise today, simulating scenarios involving riots and public disturbances.
'This joint exercise simulates a riot by extremist groups. It focuses on coordination and proper procedures in managing threats to public order and safety,' he told reporters at the parade ground of the Second Regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps, Sunggala Camp here.
Also present was First Infantry Brigade commander Brig Gen Zamri Othman.
The exercise, involving over 300 personnel, lasted nearly an hour and featured various military assets, including Gempita 8x8 armoured vehicles, GK-M1 weapons carriers, and ambulances from the Royal Malay Regiment.
It demonstrated the use of water cannons by FRU units to disperse rioters, followed by military personnel stepping in and firing warning shots to regain control. A tight security formation was then activated to restore order.
Several ASEAN meetings are scheduled to take place in Port Dickson this September, including the Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) for ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the 15th ASEAN Maritime Forum, and the 13th Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum.
The drill served to assess the effectiveness of tactics, techniques and procedures in handling unrest, in line with National Security Council (NSC) guidelines. It also provided a practical platform to test real-world responses.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Balance of trade between nations need to reflect parity and equality
Balance of trade between nations need to reflect parity and equality

Focus Malaysia

time9 hours ago

  • Focus Malaysia

Balance of trade between nations need to reflect parity and equality

ONE of the reasons cited by US President Donald Trump in increasing trade tariffs with Malaysia is that the balance of trade has been in Malaysia's favour for many years, and that the Malaysian government has not seriously addressed the problem. Trump had expressed hopes that higher tariffs could redress the situation and expects Malaysia to purchase a more wider range of American goods and products. Many nations too have lopsided balance of trade with the US and this is one of the reasons for the much-feared Trump's tariffs worldwide which will begin to be implemented from Aug 1. Numerous countries have taken advantage of the large unrestricted open US market to increase exports exponentially but buy back less in imports leading to an unfavourable balance of trade. The US has lost out to many countries in the trade of agricultural and manufactured goods as well as services. This is the reason why the US is now the world's biggest debtor nation. Many American multi-national have also added to the problems by opening new manufacturing centres outside the US to take advantage of lower labour costs and other incentives and exporting their products to the US for higher profits. This has led to the famous 'rust belt', a vast number of US factories that had been shuttered down due to economic changes. This became a major socio-economic issue during the presidential elections. The range of products and services the US depends on worldwide especially from the European Union (EU) and Asean countries has increased manyfold over the last few decade and is straining the US economy with the huge range imports which are not matched with imports by these countries. This has been cited as one of the reasons for the much talked about decline of the US as a superpower. Trump is imposing punitive tariffs on nation he feels are restricting US imports through restrictions, regulations and import substitution. The entry of China as a big time trading nation has upset the balance of trade internationally. China's economy of scale has led to cheaper and competitive prices and many nations have lost their erstwhile monopoly. Previously, Malaysia trade with the US was more balanced as Malaysia used to buy a large range of manufactured products and other goods and services from the US. However, the situation has drastically changed when China began flooding its products in Malaysia. This led to Malaysia buying less from not only the US but also the EU, among others. Malaysia often lauds its favourable trade balance as an economic achievement and advantage but does not take into account the disadvantage it causes to others. For a healthy trading relationship there should not be a very wide gulf or deficit between trading partners. Another country with a perennially lopsided balance of trade with Malaysia is India. India has had an unfavourable balance of trade with Malaysia for decades. India is Malaysia's largest importer of palm oil and is one of the main countries Malaysia considers to sell off any glut arising in palm oil. This enables palm oil prices to be kept high and well above production costs. The palm oil sector has been one of the most profitable and Malaysia reaps billions of ringgit due to high prices fuelled by large scale imports by India. In fact whenever palm oil exporters get wind of prospective large scale purchase of palm oil from India due to domestic vegetable oil shortage or demand for festivals many of these exporters and speculators jack up the prices. The situation became so exploitative more than a decade ago when India decided to have a more stable palm oil pricing with a government to government arrangement with Indonesia. Needless to say Malaysia-India trade ties need to become more balanced and fair to both sides. Malaysia needs to import more from India considering the presently wide range of manufactured as well as tradition products from India. Indian investors and businesses need to reciprocate by increasing their economic activities in Malaysia and their involvement in the IT and related sectors is one way to improve the balance of trade. The Malaysian Indian community should look into good investment opportunities in Tamil Nadu as the government is providing various incentives for export-related manufacturing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and larger firms. Alternatively, joint ventures between India and Malaysia need to be increased .This will also help redress the gap between imports and exports. Governments worldwide need to ensure that the balance of trade is fair and amicable for both sides and ensure that exploitative restrictions, over-regulation and domestic discrimination as well as unfair practices do not lead to countries reacting with higher tariffs and taxes. Trump's tariffs show how the US now unilaterally reacts to stop the disadvantages to the US economy. He has shown the way as to how to redress unfavourable trade balances with tariffs and other restrictions to save a country's economy. Tariffs will be a feature of the future with more nations feeling they are being exploited through unfair and discriminatory trade practices. Suffice to say, the days of unrestricted open markets are officially over. ‒ July 22, 2025 V. Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: AFP/Andrew Hanik

No more overlapping offers: Zahid announces unified placement system for MRSM, SBP and special schools starting 2025
No more overlapping offers: Zahid announces unified placement system for MRSM, SBP and special schools starting 2025

Malay Mail

time12 hours ago

  • Malay Mail

No more overlapping offers: Zahid announces unified placement system for MRSM, SBP and special schools starting 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — The government aims to optimise student admissions into Maktab Rendah Sains MARA (MRSM), Fully Residential Schools (SBP) and other specialised schools under the Ministry of Education (MOE) through the implementation of a unified placement offer system starting next year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said under this system, each applicant will receive only one placement offer, either from MRSM, SBP or other specialised schools. 'This coordination is to prevent overlapping offers and ensure that every available spot is filled by students who are truly eligible,' he told reporters after chairing a Coordination Meeting between MRSM, SBP and specialised schools under the MOE here today. Also present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. Ahmad Zahid said that previously, students could receive more than one offer, which often resulted in unfilled slots when offers were declined, thereby denying opportunities to other deserving students. 'Typically, between 10 and 15 per cent of seats go unfilled, which leads the Ministry of Education and MARA to be overwhelmed with appeal letters. We were unable to properly verify cases because the databases were not synchronised, but with this coordination in place, we expect appeals, if any, to be minimal under the new system,' he said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the single system would enable a fairer and more inclusive distribution of placements, particularly for high-achieving students from rural areas and low-income families, in line with the government's policy of prioritising the B40 group. 'I am confident this coordination is a step forward in restructuring the boarding school education ecosystem to be more efficient, with integrity, and to provide equal opportunities for all Malaysian children,' he said. He added that the current policy would remain, with 60 per cent of student intake reserved for B40 families, and priority given to applicants from rural and urban poor areas, as part of the government's effort to strengthen social mobility through education. Ahmad Zahid said selection would also be based on the Special School Admission Assessment, with a unified online platform used by both MARA and the MOE. — Bernama

- Global Risks, Threats To A Sustainable World Economy
- Global Risks, Threats To A Sustainable World Economy

Barnama

time13 hours ago

  • Barnama

- Global Risks, Threats To A Sustainable World Economy

22/07/2025 04:03 PM Opinions on topical issues from thought leaders, columnists and editors. By : Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Climate change and resource depletion are two of the defining risks to the global economy. This explains the growing worldwide efforts to reduce carbon emission and practise the efficient use of resources. But the climate and resource risks, though major, are not the only threats. The world economy today faces a complex, interlinked set of risks. As a country, Malaysia also has to deal with similar risks. Effectively managing them is key to our sustained economic performance. The other major risks include geopolitical tensions and conflicts, global health crises, financial system instability, technological disruptions, cybersecurity risks, inequality and social unrest, and demographic shifts. We also know for a fact that where there are risks, there are also opportunities. There is no doubt that political instability and trade disputes can disrupt supply chains, energy markets, and global investment flows. The Ukraine-Russia war and US-China trade tensions are recent examples. Though many know that diplomacy and multilateralism through forums like the UN, ASEAN, G20 and WTO are the ways to manage them, executing is never easy. Aside from diplomacy, diversifying trade and energy routes, as well as building regional trade agreements to minimise overdependence on specific countries can be possible solutions. The COVID-19 pandemic showed how a health emergency can cripple economies, disrupt labour markets, and affect global travel and trade. Dealing with such health crisis includes investing in global health infrastructure, early warning systems, and pandemic preparedness. They also include building resilient, flexible supply chains for essential goods like medicines and food and of course international cooperation for the rapid deployment of vaccine and treatment. Rapid technological change a risk It is no secret that financial crises, market volatility and debt defaults can destabilise economies. Possible solutions include strengthening global financial regulations and oversight, maintaining sound fiscal and monetary policies. Rapid technological change is also a risk. It can displace jobs, widen inequality, and increase vulnerability to cyberattacks on financial systems, infrastructure, and data. We need to invest in digital infrastructure and cybersecurity, updating regulations to keep pace with technology (AI ethics, data privacy), and reskilling and upskilling the workforce for the digital economy. Rising wealth and income inequality form another risk. They can trigger social unrest, political instability, and economic stagnation. This is where implementing inclusive economic policies and access to education matter. Small businesses need support, and strengthening the social protection systems can make a difference. Furthermore, the ageing populations in developed countries create mismatches in the labour markets, pensions, and healthcare. Reforming pension and healthcare systems for ageing societies, investing in education and job creation for young populations, and managing migration policies effectively can be the tonic to neutralise such risks. How then can the world sustain the global economy amid these risks? A popular suggestion is to adopt a circular economy model. And decouple economic growth from resource use and emissions through renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and waste management. Also need to build resilient supply chains by diversifying suppliers, investing in local production capacity, and use digital tools for real-time risk management. No country can tackle these risks alone. Strengthening global governance and partnerships is crucial. Not to mention promoting responsible technological innovation. This is where we ensure that emerging technologies are developed with ethics, inclusivity, and sustainability in mind. The risks to the global economy are increasingly interconnected. A financial crisis can amplify social unrest. A pandemic can trigger supply chain and geopolitical tensions. A systems-thinking approach to risk management, grounded in sustainability, resilience and global cooperation, is the most effective path forward. Systems thinking is increasingly recognised as a powerful approach for managing complex, interconnected risks in today's global economy. Systems thinking is an approach to problem-solving that views challenges as parts of a broader, interconnected system rather than isolated issues. It focuses on understanding relationships and feedback loops, and identifying leverage points for interventions. How then to apply systems thinking to risk management and sustainability? First map the system. Use tools like causal loop diagrams, systems maps, or stock-and-flow models to visualise how different risks and factors interact. Identify reinforcing and balancing loops within the system. Economic inequality reinforcing social unrest, which in turn destabilises markets and worsens inequality. Focus on areas where small interventions can produce large system-wide changes. Education reforms can uplift economies, improve health, reduce crime, and empower communities simultaneously. Move beyond siloed thinking. Address climate, health, financial, and social risks through integrated policies and partnerships. There is no denying that by effectively managing such global risks, the impending threats to the world economy can be neutralised. The systems approach is the right way. -- BERNAMA Prof Dato Dr Ahmad Ibrahim is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University and is an associate fellow at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. He can be reached at ahmadibrahim@ (The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of BERNAMA)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store