
No need for new talks, just political will to implement MA63: Madius
Published on: Wed, Aug 06, 2025 Text Size: KUALA LUMPUR: Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau ( pic ) has urged the Federal Government to implement the 40 per cent revenue entitlement due to Sabah under Article 112C and the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution without further delay. He reiterated the call while debating the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.
Advertisement Madius questioned why the agreed financial rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) remain unfulfilled despite being constitutionally guaranteed. The Upko Honorary President said Sabahans should not continue to suffer from underdevelopment and poverty due to the failure to deliver the promised revenue returns. He pointed out that more than 80 per cent of the country's RM1.3 trillion debt has been spent in Peninsular Malaysia, while resource-rich Sabah remains inadequately funded. The former Sabah Deputy Chief Minister stressed that Sabah could independently fund basic infrastructure and economic development if it received its rightful 40 per cent share.
Advertisement He also questioned the status of proposed 12MP projects and the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on undocumented migrants in Sabah, which he said still lacked clear updates. * 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
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
NST Leader: AI age forces rethink on retirement
THE age of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) has reshaped the nature and security of jobs, skill demands and workplace dynamics. This has created new roles that demand complex, non-routine skills and high technical expertise, making a degree or deep expertise in AI and its applied sciences the most valuable qualification. American AI startups are being sold by their founders for astounding sums in the billions. As for retirees, how are they affected? We will find out soon. Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced that the Public Service Department (PSD), under the 13th Malaysia Plan tabled last week, will study the feasibility of raising the compulsory retirement age to 65. This is in line with Malaysia's transition into an ageing nation, as many workers over 60 remain active and employable. Malaysia's retirement age of 60 aligns with many countries in Asia and the Middle East, but it is low compared to other parts of the world. For instance, the retirement age in Singapore is currently from 63 to 68. In France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal and Spain, the retirement age has been raised from 62 to 66. Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands and Australia have set it even higher at 67, while Libya's is 70. For most governments, raising the retirement age is simple pragmatism: to reduce pension strain and prolong healthy working years, provided healthcare and work conditions for older workers improve. To ensure intergenerational fairness in career advancements, flexible retirement schemes and retraining opportunities must be offered. Without these safeguards, nations risk public opposition, health disparities and minimal fiscal gain. While all this works well on paper, these frameworks do not take into account the rapid advancements in AI. The effects of digital technology and AI on retirees are significant, influencing social inclusion, healthcare and financial decisions. While senior citizens use smartphones for community and health-related activities, their digital literacy is often limited. This lack of proficiency, plus the potential for excessive screen time, can pose risks to their physical and mental well-being. Retraining older workers to apply AI takes time, particularly since the younger generation already excels at these skills. The PSD will soon realise, if it hasn't already, that while AI streamlines routine tasks and cost controls, it could also eliminate many jobs, particularly those often held by senior citizens. The bottom line is, digital technology and AI are a double-edged sword for retirees. While they can improve social engagement, health management and financial planning, they also introduce job insecurity, even in government services aiming to cut pension costs.


The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Gig Workers' Bill 2025 to be tabled in Dewan Rakyat on Aug 14
KUALA LUMPUR: The Gig Workers' Bill 2025 will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat for its first reading on August 14. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the second reading will follow on August 26. He explained that the second reading will involve detailed discussions and debates by MPs from both government and opposition benches. A simple majority vote will be sufficient for the bill to pass, without requiring a two-thirds majority. Ahmad Zahid shared these updates during the *Sembang Santai Teh Tarik Industri Gig* session organised by the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA). The event was attended by gig industry representatives and stakeholders, including Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and his deputy Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad. At a press conference, Ahmad Zahid highlighted the need for greater awareness among gig workers regarding social security contributions. He noted that only 188,000 p-hailing and 132,000 e-hailing workers are currently contributing to the Self-Employment Social Security Scheme (SKSPS). This figure represents a small fraction of the 1.12 million workers in Malaysia's gig economy. Sim added that Malaysia will become the 16th country globally to enact legislation specifically protecting gig workers. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has shown interest in Malaysia's approach, recognising its comprehensive yet balanced framework. Sim revealed that Malaysia's bill was developed after studying legal frameworks in 15 other countries, including Singapore, the Philippines, the US, and India. During his visit to the ILO in Geneva last June, Sim noted strong international interest in Malaysia's gig worker protections. The drafting process involved 40 engagement sessions with around 4,000 stakeholders, including workers, employers, and NGOs. Sim emphasised the government's efforts to balance worker protections with the gig economy's competitiveness. The bill aims to harmonise diverse interests while ensuring fair treatment for gig workers. - Bernama

Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
Business Events Instrumental To Achieve Tourism Targets Under 13MP -- Ahmad Zahid
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Business events will be instrumental for Malaysia to achieve its targets of 35.6 million tourist arrivals and RM147 billion in total receipts during Visit Malaysia Year 2026, as well as a 16 per cent contribution to gross domestic product from the tourism sector during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) period. In saying this, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi pointed out that business delegates are high-value travellers, as they stay longer, spend more, make repeat visits, and often return with their families. 'More importantly, business travellers bring with them ideas, investments, and influence,' he said in his opening speech at the Business Events Awards Gala Dinner here today. According to him, the tourism sector is also resurgent and remains a key national priority. 'In 2024 alone, foreign tourist expenditure surged to RM102.2 billion, a strong indicator that Malaysia's appeal is not only intact, it is expanding,' Ahmad Zahid said. Over the past decade, Malaysia has hosted more than 3,000 business events, drawing over a million delegates and generating an estimated RM18 billion in economic impact. Ahmad Zahid said the government recognises the business events industry as a strategic engine for inclusive, sustainable and high-impact growth. He said the government is taking concrete steps by streamlining visa facilitation, especially for high-frequency travellers, and upgrading major airports and convention venues to meet global standards. In addition, he said, it is looking at deepening inter-agency collaboration, especially between the Malaysian Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (MACEOS); the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry; and the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry.