Zahid to MIC: Stay in BN, face challenges together
Zahid said MIC, an influential party that champions the interests of the Indian community, has never been sidelined and should not leave BN and the unity government.
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
What is the status of US tariff negotiations?
WASHINGTON: US tariff negotiations with key trading partners have shifted into high gear as economies race to avoid steeper duties before an Aug 1 deadline. Many of these tariff hikes were part of a package first announced in April, under which dozens of economies were due to face higher levies – up from a 10 per cent level – over their trade surpluses with the United States. The twice-postponed deadline for duties to take effect is now Friday, Aug 1. But Washington has expanded its group of targets coming up against these tariffs, while announcing agreements with the European Union, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines. A deal with the European Union unveiled on Sunday sees a 15 per cent tariff imposed on European exports to the United States, down from the 30 per cent that Trump earlier threatened. Where do other US trade talks stand? Seoul is racing to reach a deal with Washington, as Tokyo's success in landing an agreement has "amped up the pressure for South Korea," a government source told AFP. Local media reported that Seoul was preparing to propose more than US$100 billion in investment as part of a broader agreement, with expected participation by major firms such as Samsung and Hyundai Motor. The South Korean government did not confirm this. But South Korean officials have outlined proposals to deepen collaboration in sectors like shipbuilding, semiconductors and batteries. National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lak has told reporters that the two countries are in "the final and most crucial phase of negotiations" to avert Trump's proposed 25 per cent duty. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told Bloomberg Television Thursday that he was optimistic his country could reach an agreement with the United States to avert Washington's 26 per cent tariff threat. Goyal insisted there were not any sticking points in the US-India relationship or in trade talks, and clarified that immigration rules – including those around H-1B visas for skilled workers – had not come up in negotiations. Despite Goyal's remarks, local media reported the prospects of an interim deal before Aug 1 had dimmed. Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai said Thursday that officials are "working hard" on negotiations, amid worries that an unfavorable tariff level could hit the self-ruled island's economy. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said Taipei's negotiating team was "working almost 24 hours a day to achieve trade balance and Taiwan's industrial interests, and even to further deepen cooperation." Although Canada and Mexico were spared from Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs announced in April, goods from both countries entering the United States generally face a separate 25 per cent duty if they fall outside a North American trade pact. This figure stands to jump to 30 per cent for Mexico come Aug 1, while the level for Canada was set at 35 per cent. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her administration was "doing everything" possible to avert the duties and that she would speak with Trump if necessary to try to reach a pact. Trump told reporters Friday there was no deal with Canada so far. Brazil is girding for a virtual trade embargo on its planes, grains and other goods if Trump's threatened 50 per cent tariff on its exports takes effect on Aug 1. The United States runs a trade surplus with Latin America's biggest economy, which was not originally expected to face steeper tariffs under Trump's "reciprocal" duties plan. Trump has not attempted to hide the political motivation in targeting Brazil, citing a judicial "witch hunt" against his right-wing ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro, when he unveiled the tariff rate. The political nature of the spat makes a last-minute deal appear less likely.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Shrinking population share a wake-up call for Indian community
Size matters in Malaysian power politics. Every government looks at the country's ethnic ratio when creating policies. Like it or not, population sizes will be a perennial consideration, being directly or indirectly related to votes. Racial politics has not abated in the six decades of independence from colonial rule but has been exacerbated by issues of religion, something likely to remain a key factor in the nation's future. This is why the Indian community reacted with alarm, both privately and on social media, when the statistics department recently released its projections for the nation's population and ethnicity ratio. In 2059, Malaysia's population is expected to reach 42.38 million. The ethnic composition is expected to shift. The Bumiputera population is projected to rise from 69% in 2020 to 79% in 2060, while the Chinese population will decline to 14.8% (from 23% in 2020) and the Indian population to 4.7% (from 6.7%). In absolute terms, there will be fewer Malaysian Chinese and Indians than there are now. The number of Chinese will drop from 7.3 million to 6.3 million in 2059 while the number of Indians will drop from 2.2 million to 1.9 million. Only the Bumiputera population will increase both in percentage and absolute numbers. This is inevitable. The Chinese community does not seem to be overly concerned, being self-dependent and economically stable, with many sending their children abroad for studies and possible migration after that. Build quality, not quantity The projections have raised an alarm among some in the Indian community of a greatly reduced bargaining power as the decades roll on. As a solution, a few even suggested that they should have more children. Really? Obviously, this is an emotional reaction that will not help the community's problems. Politicians may encourage this for political reasons and self gain, not to help the community. The projected decline in population should not be taken as a wake-up call to have more children, but to improve the community's overall quality in key areas. While government help is vital for many Indians in Malaysia, they should move away from being totally dependent on handouts. The reality is that the already small share of the pie for Indians will only become smaller. Instead of championing quantity, leaders should educate Indians to invest in education, which remains a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. This has been emphasised over and over again, but it appears that only a small group is taking this seriously. Forget class, clan, caste Indians should wake up from their deeply entrenched class, clan and caste struggles and learn from the Chinese community, which displays exemplary unity when it comes to the cause of education. The refusal among Indians to stop identifying themselves by sub-groups is a significant challenge. There are so many associations within the community based on clans, ethnicity and village origins in India. Instead of wasting so much time and energy on causes that split the community, they should instead pool their resources to help the community strengthen itself in the various fields. By fostering a sense of collective identity and purpose, the community can also present a stronger voice in political and economic matters even if their national percentage drops. Such unity can lead to better representation and inclusion in policy-making processes. Build for the future The community should foster a culture of entrepreneurship by nurturing and mentoring young individuals. This can lead to the emergence of new entrepreneurs who can contribute to the economy and create job opportunities within the community. Richer Indians are deciding to have small families, while the low-income and less able Indians seem to choose having large families – a trend that has led to social problems such as many youths indulging in drugs and alcohol, and a high number of school dropouts. Indian families and leaders should seriously address this disturbing trend. The number involved in violent crimes and drug pushing is apparently high for the smallest community in the country. The fact is that the community will inevitably be reduced to a super-minority one day. There will come a time when even their votes won't matter any more. Their voices may also be ignored. Under the circumstances, a life with dignity and a cleaner image will be the best way forward. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Free Malaysia Today
12 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Umno must act on principle even if unpopular, says Zahid
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for party members to take BN's failure to form the government in the past two general elections as a lesson and turning point to rebuild the party's strength. (Bernama pic) RAUB : Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that in today's challenging political landscape, decisions made by the party are aimed at ensuring the country's stability and future, even if those decisions are unpopular. Explaining the matter when officiating the Raub Umno division delegates' meeting, he emphasised that in any struggle, not all decisions taken will be comfortable, but they must be principled. 'No matter how high our position is in the party or government, we must realise that every post is a trust that must be carried out with full responsibility,' he said. Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and deputy prime minister, said what Umno needs most right now is unity of purpose and a strong fighting spirit, without faltering when tested. He also reminded party members to take Umno and BN's failure to form the government in the past two general elections as a lesson and turning point to rebuild the party's strength. 'We have been tested twice in the general elections… enough of the divisions, quarrels, shooting at each other, and hidden saboteurs within. 'Let us learn from past weaknesses and fix Umno and BN from within. Hopefully, we can be dominant once again,' he said. At a press conference later, Zahid said Umno would look into whether any of its members had participated in the rally held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. 'Umno is now part of the unity government, and we must strengthen, not undermine, the government that is in place,' he said.
