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Barnama
23-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
PM's Announcement Timely, Provides Relief Amid Rising Cost Of Living Pressures
Experts contacted by Bernama described the Prime Minister's announcement as timely, highlighting the government's commitment to building a fairer and more prosperous future for the people. KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The much-awaited announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, made in appreciation of all Malaysians, was finally unveiled today, offering a ray of hope and underscoring the government's continued concern for the people's well-being. He said the announcement came amid mounting challenges, including food inflation, soaring house prices, burdensome loan interest rates and global economic uncertainty. Universiti Malaya sociopolitical analyst Datuk Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said several of the measures introduced by Anwar brought significant benefits to the people, particularly in alleviating the burden of the rising cost of living. They viewed it as a clear reflection of the government's concern over the public's struggles with the rising cost of living, as well as a step towards restoring confidence and stability in the national economy during these challenging times. The Prime Minister also announced that there would be no increase in electricity bills for the majority of domestic consumers in Peninsular Malaysia following the restructuring of electricity tariffs that took effect this month. Earlier today, Anwar announced several key initiatives as a gesture of appreciation to the people, including a one-off RM100 aid under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme, a freeze on toll hikes for 10 highways, and a targeted subsidy bringing RON95 fuel price down to RM1.99 per litre. 'Any government initiative that helps ease the people's burden should be welcomed. This announcement comes at a critical time, as many are caught in a cycle of household debt, employment uncertainty and a widening income gap,' he told Bernama. In fact, he said 85 per cent of domestic users would see up to a 14 per cent reduction in their July 2025 bills for the same level of usage compared to the first half of this year. Awang Azman said the one-off assistance was much needed as an interim measure while awaiting more structured and far-reaching government policies through the upcoming budget or the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). He said that the initiative also demonstrated the prime minister's concern for the people's real needs. 'The next step is not just to provide temporary relief but is expected to be expanded through the upcoming budget and the 13MP, which will address root issues such as the wage-cost of living mismatch, the need for affordable housing, and the strengthening of the social safety net,' he said. Awang Azman pointed out that attention needed to be given to transparency and efficiency in implementation to ensure the initiatives truly benefited the deserving groups. 'Effectiveness lies not only in the content but also in how the initiatives are implemented. Is the monitoring mechanism transparent enough to prevent leakages? The real challenge for the MADANI government is to implement this policy with integrity and efficiency so that it truly serves the people at the grassroots level,' he added. Meanwhile, director of the MBA & DBA Programme at Putra Business School Prof Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said the government had shown attentiveness to the people's concerns by announcing immediate aid without waiting for the 2026 Budget. 'The assistance is provided immediately to individuals and those in need without waiting for next year's budget to be tabled. Although inflation is low, the reality is that many still require direct aid,' he said. Rejecting views suggesting the announcement was purely populist, Ahmed Razman said the cash assistance also extended to those in the M40 group, who were often mistakenly perceived as sidelined in aid distribution. Political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian viewed the good news announced by the prime minister as a continuation of various incentives and assistance introduced by the MADANI Government to ensure the people continued to receive direct and ongoing benefits. 'I believe this is not the end. There will be several more phases rolled out later, depending on the government's position and capabilities at that time,' said the sociology of political society lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia. While some regarded the announcement as a temporary measure, he said it nevertheless had a significant impact amid rising cost of living pressures. Citing the announcement that RON95 would be priced at RM1.99 per litre once the targeted subsidy takes effect, Sivamurugan said it demonstrated that the Prime Minister had delivered on one of his promises. 'If we look at the Prime Minister's social media branding prior to the announcement, it clearly hinted at the petrol price that the public had been eagerly awaiting. 'It might seem like a small decrease but it has a big impact because he is fulfilling a promise the people have been waiting for,' he said. Sivamurugan said the government's ability to meet the people's immediate needs while maintaining sound fiscal management showed an inclusive approach prioritising public well-being without undermining the country's financial position. --BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
Borneo Post
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
DAP S'wak chief's redelineation stand overlooks rural realities, may be politically-driven, says analyst
Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi KUCHING (July 16): The argument by Democratic Action Party (DAP) lawmaker Chong Chieng Jen about the voters-based redelineation in Sarawak is deemed by some as being politically-motivated. According to socio-political analyst Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, although Chong's stand is rooted in the democratic principle of 'one-person, one-vote', there are those who will counter-argue that Chong has underestimated the logistical difficulties of representing vast, sparsely-populated rural areas, where accessibility and infrastructure remain major challenges. 'His (Chong's) stance is viewed by some as being politically-motivated, aimed at protecting DAP's urban strongholds. 'Additionally, Chong's rejection of state seat expansion seems to overlook the strategic value of increasing Sarawak's parliamentary representation, which could strengthen the state's influence at the federal level,' said Awang Azman, a professor from Universiti Malaya. 'In essence, while Chong's position is commendable for its commitment to electoral fairness and fiscal responsibility, it would benefit from a more inclusive consideration of Sarawak's rural realities and a constructive proposal for increasing federal representation alongside voter-based reform.' Chong, the Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman, had highlighted a stark disparity between urban and rural areas, where some urban constituencies had over 70,000 voters, while certain rural ones had fewer than 10,000 – arguing that this undermined equal representation. The DAP Sarawak leader also questioned the rationale behind increasing the number of State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats, highlighting the high cost of over RM20 million and stating that Sarawak was already enjoying one of the most favourable representative-to-voter ratios in the Commonwealth. 'Instead of expanding seats, he (Chong) had proposed a more balanced redelineation model based on a weighted index that would consider both the population size and the land areas,' added Awang Azman. On Monday, Chong – in a press statement – had urged the Sarawak government to make formal representation to the Election Commission (EC) to adopt a constituency model based on voter population with a proposed range of 17,340 to 23,460 voters per constituency, so as to ensure fair and equal representation in the DUN. 'This is necessary to preserve the true meaning of the term 'wakil rakyat' (elected people's representative) in Sarawak. 'The state assemblypersons are called 'wakil rakyat', not 'wakil tanah' (representative of land). 'We serve the people on the land, not the land itself,' said Chong in a statement, issued in response to the Sarawak government's move of allowing the EC to expand the number of seats in the DUN Sarawak from 82 to 99. Awang Azman Awang Pawi Chong Chieng Jen DAP Sarawak redelineation
Free Malaysia Today
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
BN's solo strategy in strongholds a tactical move, says analyst
Last Saturday, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan was reported to have said that BN might go solo in the Melaka election expected next year. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Barisan Nasional's (BN) suggestion of running solo in the states that it dominates while cooperating with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in other states could be a strategic move, provided that it is carefully planned, an analyst says. Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said that a flexible approach tailored by state could work if BN managed voter perceptions and maintained ties with PH at the federal level. He said BN could go solo in strongholds like Melaka and Johor, and partner with PH in states where PH or Perikatan Nasional (PN) hold the advantage such as Selangor, Penang and Kelantan. 'To make this strategy work, BN must clearly explain its position so that the public understands the rationale behind adopting different approaches in different states. 'At the same time, the strategic dialogue between BN and PH needs to be intensified to ensure coordinated action and maintain the stability of the unity government,' Awang Azman told FMT. He warned that if poorly handled, the 'friends at the federal level, rivals at the state level' approach could be seen as hypocritical and cause a loss of confidence in BN's integrity. He also said that the move risked alienating PH component parties, especially DAP and PKR, potentially undermining unity and cooperation at the federal level. Last Saturday, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan was reported to have said that BN might contest solo in the Melaka election expected next year. He said a thorough study would be conducted beforehand, as political dynamics and formulas differ from state to state. Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said BN going solo in Melaka would come as no surprise, describing it as a 'warning shot' for Amanah and PH. Amanah had previously demanded an equal number of seats for the Melaka election, including in constituencies currently held by Umno. Azmi said the prior agreement between BN and PH had established that incumbent parties would retain the right to contest their seats, adding that Amanah should not overreach in its demands. 'In Melaka, BN holds the incumbency, having won 21 seats in the last state election. These should remain with BN and be agreed upon by PH. 'My concern is that Amanah is being used as a proxy to pressure BN into going solo.' It was reported last week that the Hang Tuah Jaya Amanah division had passed a resolution at its annual meeting, urging PH to prepare for an independent contest. Earlier, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh said in a Facebook video that BN was ready to face PH in a contest, even though they are allies at both the federal level and in Melaka.
Free Malaysia Today
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Reforms slowed by lack of formal coalition agreement, say analysts
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim leads a unity government comprising Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sarawak and Warisan. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The unity government would have been better placed to advance its reform agenda had it sealed a formal coalition pact akin to a blueprint drawn up in Germany eight years ago, two analysts said. Earlier this month, Senator Fuziah Salleh acknowledged that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government, cobbled together after the 15th general election (GE 15) in 2022 turned up a hung Parliament, lacked a clear framework to implement reforms effectively. Speaking on BBC's World Questions podcast, she said that in hindsight, a formal coalition agreement, like the one used by Germany's grand coalition, might have helped the government quicken delivery of reforms and position itself better on policies. In 2017, Germany faced a hung parliament after no party secured a simple majority in the Bundestag, the country's lower house, to form a government on its own. Political parties then took nearly five months to negotiate and agree on a blueprint listing policies, including on foreign affairs, media reforms, environmental protection and social welfare, to serve as a guide while in office. Universiti Malaya's Awang Azman Awang Pawi agreed with Fuziah's remarks, saying that there was 'merit' in her 'critique'. He said Germany's coalition-building process took nearly five months to complete but resulted in a comprehensive document spanning more than 170 pages. 'An approach like Germany's could have worked in Malaysia if political actors prioritised national reform over narrow party interests,' he said, adding that a longer negotiation process might have helped the unity government align on shared goals. International Islamic University Malaysia lecturer Syaza Syukri agreed, noting that the unity coalition came together without clear agreements on policies, which has slowed reform efforts. 'The current government came together for the sake of forming an administration without putting much thought into its framework and agreements, besides how to share the spoils of power,' she told FMT. 'Had we a clearer blueprint, maybe it could have empowered Anwar to do more. Now, it seems like there's a constant need for negotiations, which is impeding his reform agenda.' However, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara took a different view, saying that the perception that reforms and institutional changes promised by Anwar's Pakatan Harapan coalition have been slow was misplaced. He said the government's anti-corruption efforts were a 'strong start'. 'You have to start at the foundation to eradicate corruption, which has long plagued our civil institutions,' he said. Anwar was sworn in as the 10th prime minister on Nov 24, 2022, after a unity coalition was formed between PH, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sarawak and Warisan. PH leaders have previously said they were not in a position to deliver on all their election pledges due to the constraints of governing within a broad-based unity government. Anwar, for his part, has consistently defended the pace of reforms of his administration, saying that meaningful change takes time and must be pursued with wisdom and broad political support. He also pointed to the reality that PH's 82 MPs do not even make up a simple majority in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat. Nonetheless, he said, with the support of all its coalition partners, the government has been able to push through impactful national programmes. 'You can't take things for granted (in the unity government). The process of negotiation, discussion and engagement is important,' said Anwar.
Focus Malaysia
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Claim that Malay language is under threat merely political rhetoric, say analysts
EXPERTS have described the allegation that the Malay language is being sidelined under the MADANI Government as unfounded and contradictory to the administration's ongoing efforts to strengthen the national language's status. Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi views the MADANI Government as more progressive and consistent in promoting Malay as the primary medium of administration and national discourse, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. 'The claim that the Malay language is losing its role is merely a political strategy,' he said, commenting on a statement made yesterday by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who alleged that the Malay language and the position of the Malays are facing mounting threats under the current government. According to Awang Azman, the statement is also inconsistent with Dr Mahathir's administrative history, notably when he introduced the Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English (PPSMI) policy in 2003. 'The policy provoked an intense backlash, as many parties, including the Movement to Abolish PPSMI, criticised it for diminishing the Malay language as a medium of knowledge and education,' he said. Awang Azman stated that calls to unite the Malays must be accompanied by concrete actions that are consistent with the principles of justice, inclusivity and respect for Malaysia's cultural and linguistic diversity. Echoing this view, National Professors Council Fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan pointed out that this is not the first time Dr Mahathir has used the 'Malay issue' to advance his political objectives. 'There is no such thing as the Malay language being under threat. It is only a small minority who view Malay as unintellectual, but in reality, it is they who lack intelligence. 'The current situation is much more stable compared to when the ICERD issue (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination) and the recognition of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court arose in 2018 duringDr Mahathir's administration, which at that time sparked concern among the Malay community,' he said. Meanwhile, a lecturer at the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Law, International Islamic University Malaysia, Associate Professor Datuk Dr Shamrahayu A. Aziz, emphasised that the rights of the Malays, including the status of the Malay language as the official language, are enshrined in the Federal Constitution. 'The King and the ruling government are responsible for implementing the relevant provisions. If anyone claims that the government is failing to uphold these provisions, they must present clear evidence. 'This issue concerning the rights of the Malays has long been used as a political argument by various parties, but its status remains steadfastly protected within the framework of the Constitution,' he said. Shamrahayu stressed that every government is responsible for ensuring the ongoing fulfilment of Malay rights, adding that any neglect of these provisions contradicts the spirit of the Constitution. ‒ June 6, 2025 Main image: Tech Wire Asia
