Govt tries to avoid road projects going through wildlife habitats: Minister
He said efforts in that direction included amendments to the National Forestry Act in 2022.
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Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Race-based policies a thorn in both sides, says ex-Umno man
(From left) Shahril Hamdan, formerly of Umno, was at a panel discussion with Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad of PKR and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal of Bersatu. KUALA LUMPUR : A former Umno leader has called for an honest national dialogue on how Bumiputera policies are implemented, as current approaches have bred resentment not just among non-Bumiputeras but also within the Bumiputera community itself. 'I think you need to make sure that whatever set of policies you have, reduce resentment,' former Umno Supreme Council member Shahril Hamdan said at the Malaysian student leaders summit held here today. 'There's too much resentment in this country,' he said. 'Clearly, the Bumiputera policy has been actioned in a way that has caused resentment among the non-Bumiputeras. And what's tragic is that you also have resentment from the Bumiputera community. 'Although they get Bumiputera privilege, they feel that they got a raw deal,' he said at a panel discussion on the mandate of the Madani government. Another speaker, former minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad of PKR said Malaysia should gradually shift away from race-based affirmative action to a needs-based approach, which was also seen in the 13th Malaysia Plan. Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal of Bersatu called for the social contract to be renegotiated, through a national dialogue. He agreed that some reforms were overdue, saying: 'It's high time in certain areas, race-based policies need to be forgone.' However, he said he would continue to uphold Bumiputera rights and privileges as part of his political struggle, but without sacrificing justice for other communities, because strategic intervention or affirmative action in certain areas was still needed on a race-based basis. Shahril said Singapore also provides for Malay rights in its constitution, but does so without stoking public frustration. 'Nobody talks about it, because the way it is expressed is probably a lot smaller than ours, and secondly, it's done in a way that does not cause resentment.' He said Malaysia's constitutional provisions for Bumiputera rights are difficult to amend, requiring not only a two-thirds majority in Parliament but also consent from the Conference of Rulers. 'So how do we then action (act) the policy in a particular way that reduces resentment? And that's a worthwhile national dialogue to have, but it has to be done honestly and sincerely,' he added. Wan Fayhsal, in calling for renegotiation of the social contract, said: 'How do we go about it? Through political discussion. And there has to be a lot of engagements done by political parties and governments. It's a national dialogue to begin with.' Any shift towards a more inclusive identity must be preceded by public engagement, 'unless you want a somewhat equal identity of Malaysian-based politics or economic policy'. Nik Nazmi said affirmative action must also consider other factors beyond race. 'We need to look at gender, look at communities, and race in terms of how you push people to participate in the country,' he said. He said this shift was discussed in Najib Razak's government and remains relevant today. Current policies place excessive focus on race alone, which undermines the broader goals of equitable development, he said. The three political leaders were responding to a question on what each panel member thought about Bumiputera quotas and the relationships between Bumiputeras and non-Bumiputeras.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- New Straits Times
Jo Ghani: US' 19 per cent tariff on Malaysian palm oil competitive
PASIR GUDANG: The 19 per cent export tariff imposed by the United States (US) on Malaysian commodities, including palm oil, is considered competitive and not burdensome compared to other Asean countries, said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. Johari said Malaysia remained in a good competitive position as the tariff rate was among the lowest in the region. "The 19 per cent tariff imposed by the US on Malaysia is among the lowest in Asean countries. Even Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, is subject to the same tariff rate. If we look at the context of palm oil commodities, Indonesia is the largest producer, number one in the world, and we are number two. But Indonesia is also subject to 19 per cent like Malaysia, so there is no problem, meaning we have a 'fair fight'," he said. He was speaking at a press conference after officiating the Pasir Gudang Umno Division Delegates Conference today. Also present was Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is also an Umno vice-president and Pasir Gudang Umno division chief. Malaysia was subjected to the 19 per cent tariff based on an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump. The document for the reciprocal tariff rate adjustment, signed by Trump on July 31, 2025, has been uploaded to the White House website. Previously, Trump set a 25 per cent tariff for Malaysia, but it is understood that a phone conversation between him and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday may have been a factor in the tariff reduction. Johari, who is also performing the duties of the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, added that there had been no significant issues with the country's commodity exports due to the tariff rate. "Malaysia's commodity exports are still able to compete fairly in the international market. I don't see any problems so far with the 19 per cent tariff imposed by the US on our country's commodity exports," he said.
Malaysiakini
7 days ago
- Malaysiakini
Don't trivialise 'Turun' rally attendees' grouses
Former PKR leader Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad advised government leaders to be cautious when commenting about the recent 'Turun Anwar' rally or risk creating sympathy for the opposition. This comes after Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming claimed that some 20 tonnes of rubbish were left behind following Saturday's rally.
