Latest news with #EXCO
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Ramasamy wants Penang EXCO reprimanded for unilateral decision on Indian Muslim housing discount
I CANNOT stop wondering at how the Penang state government could permit an EXCO member to make unilateral announcements without the approval or endorsement of the state executive council (EXCO). I am bewildered that Penang state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo could announce a 5% housing discount for Indian Muslims under the Madani housing scheme without apparent consultation with his other EXCO colleagues. Sundarajoo justified the move on grounds of low participation among Indian Muslims in state housing. But can he furnish data to back this claim? What are the comparative participation rates of Malays, Chinese, Indians and Indian Muslims? He also stated that this discount would not affect allocations for the Malays – yet he seems to overlook the complex identity overlap where some Indian Muslims are classified as Malay/Bumiputera while others maintain their distinct ethnic identity. Has there been any study quantifying the percentage of Indian Muslims who qualify under the Bumiputera category versus those who identify separately? Jumping the gun? Without such data, it's hard to justify a policy decision that could result in dual benefits for a segment of the population, raising questions of fairness and equity. Had this proposal been tabled in an EXCO meeting, its flaws could have been debated and possibly avoided. But instead, Sundarajoo proceeded based on consultations with developers – not the state government – casting doubt on the integrity of Penang's housing policy framework. This was a poor decision made without transparency and without consideration for other equally deserving communities. The policy lacked sound rationale and undermined public confidence. In this regard, I commend Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for stepping in to reverse the decision and broadening the discount to all eligible Malaysians. I urge Chow to go a step further – reprimand Perai state assemblyman Sundarajoo for bypassing proper procedure and acting irresponsibly on a matter of public policy. – June 9, 2025 Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Lesufi announces relaunch of Nasi Ispani, promising 32,000 new jobs
Premier Panyaza Lesufi provides an update on key developments and decisions arising from the recent Executive Council (EXCO) meeting. Image: Gauteng Gov/X Gauteng is set to relaunch Nasi Ispani in June, creating 32,000 jobs for Assistant Teachers, Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced on Thursday. Speaking at a media briefing in Midrand, Lesufi revealed that the programme will recruit the youth across the province, marking a major boost for youth employment and the education sector. Lesufi said he was undeterred by criticism from opposition parties on the mass recruitment programme. 'The people who are criticising us on Nasi Ispani understand the effectiveness of this programme. We're not doing it for political mileage, we're doing it to fight unemployment. 'But what they're saying now is that you have poor homes, you've got incomplete buildings, traffic lights that have gone down, roads that are not maintained, you've got grass that is not cut. 'On the other side, you've got youth in the townships who are unemployed. So you train them to do the work and pay them,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The initiative has been characterised by some as a campaign by the ANC to garner support ahead of the 2024 national and provincial elections. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA have consistently raised concerns regarding Lesufi's approach since the programme's initial launch in 2023. Lesufi said this was a 'next round of Nasi Ispani.' 'It's a skills training to be welders, to know how to put in tiles, to be plumbers. So we have already done that. We've got 560,000 and 544,000 unemployed people. They want to be trained, either to be welders, plumbers, electricians, all these things.' He added that the relaunch will now go to TVET colleges. IOL Politics
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Panyaza Lesufi's bold steps to tackle corruption and improve Gauteng's services
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has reassured his citizens of a series of service delivery-inspired interventions aimed at restoring the province to its former glory. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has revealed that the province has started to vet all of its HODs, senior executive managers, as well as MECs, to improve transparency among its executives. Lesufi, who is set to jet off to China next month, indicated that the province is working towards the total eradication of corruption, potholes, and other service delivery challenges in the province. On Thursday, Lesufi led a media briefing in which he sought to provide an update on key developments and decisions arising from the recent Executive Council (EXCO) meeting which touched on several priority programmes aimed at improving service delivery including the province's flagship job creation initiative, Nas'ispani, and strategic interventions to prevent crime and improve safety in high-risk areas. He pointed out that through their efforts, the province has uncovered thousands of government officials who are conducting business with the same government they serve. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ In the past, the DA has accused Lesufi of shielding some of the implicated executives in his cabinet following allegations of withholding specific forensic investigation reports. "Gauteng is the only province that has empowered the SIU and other Chapter 9 institutions to assist us... You are quite aware that last week, we welcomed the release of the bi-annual state of ethics report by the Gauteng Ethics Advisory Council. The report exposed some criminal activities by officials and teachers who are conducting business with the state. It also points out significant progress in the work being done to reinforce and institutionalise integrity," he said. Lesufi added that the province has prioritised 13 service delivery deliverables, which include the eradication of potholes, a R100 billion road maintenance programme, and grass cutting initiatives across the province. "We have identified problem areas. So, we know and are working very hard with all the executive mayors of all our cities, and we are proud that this programme will help eradicate potholes in our cities. There is a plan and a budget to eradicate potholes. I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to motorists for the potholes," he added. With the province set to host the G20 Summit later this year, Lesufi indicated that even though he cannot confidently state how ready the province is, hosting this big gathering requires all hands on deck, including other provinces. "As a province, we think we are ready to host the G20 Summit and have gone the extra mile to prepare and make other services available, including our airports, transport, and other services. We are participating in all the working committees. But the November one is the big one and we are hosting it on behalf of the country and the country will guide us and they can bring extra capacity as we want to make it a country event rather than a Gauteng event," he stated. On the water challenges in the province, with some of the cities reporting water shedding and infrastructure challenges this week, the premier said these are almost over, stating that only a handful of water challenges persist. Lesufi revealed that the province, through its recent investment conference, had managed to raise R320 billion in investment pledges, which the province is now converting into real investments to jump-start the province's ailing economy. "The recent investment conference two months ago was a resounding success. We were targeting to raise R300 billion and managed to raise R320 billion from companies that cut across our continent, but the majority of them come from our BRICS nations. We are now starting to convert these pledges into tangible job opportunities."
CAF
28-01-2025
- Sport
- CAF
CAF Executive Committee Approves Match Calendar of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 and additional CAF Competitions
The Confédération Africaine de Football ('CAF') Executive Committee ('EXCO') met on Monday, 27 January 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, chaired by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe. The Executive Committee received a detailed update on the preparations of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations ('AFCON'), Morocco 2025. The Executive Committee approved the match calendar for the competition. Six cities and nine stadiums have been selected for Africa's flagship football tournament, which will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. They are Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier. The EXCO also received an update on the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship ('CHAN'), Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2024. The Competition will now kick-off on Saturday, 02 August and the Final will be played on 30 August 2025. Women Futsal Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025: EXCO approved the dates for the Women Futsal Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025. The opening match will be on Tuesday, 22 April 2025 and final match will be played on Wednesday, 30 April 2025. Two finalists in the competition will qualify for the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in Philippines in November/December 2025. TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations ('U-17 AFCON'), Morocco 2025 The Executive Committee approved the new format of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations ('U-17 AFCON') Morocco 2025 qualifiers increasing the number of participating teams from 12 to 16. Opening of Bidding Process for Competitions: The CAF Executive Committee resolved to open the bidding process for the following competitions: The Women Champions League 2025, 2026 and 2027 The TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations ('U-17 AFCON 2026, 2027 and 2028 The TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations ('U-20 AFCON') 2027, 2029 and 2031 The Executive Committee also received a briefing on the recently held CAF GIFT U17 Football Tournament for Girls that was staged in Tanzania earlier this year. Further Enquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
