Latest news with #Fadhli
Focus Malaysia
3 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Is it more politically correct for PETRONAS to term its 5k headcount downsizing as 'right-sizing'?
THAT PETRONAS intends to right-size its workforce by laying off by 10% or 5,000 staff and freeze recruitment until end-2026 has earned the wrath of PAS information chief Fadhli Shaari who claimed that the power that be is unperturbed so long as it can continue milking the RM32 bil annual dividend. Moreover, the Pasir Mas MP preferred to reason it from the perspective of the PETRONAS- Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (PETROS) feud although he state-owned oil & gas (O&G) giant's president and group CEO Tengku Tan Sri Muhammad Taufik has attributed the drastic measure to slumping global crude oil prices. 'I've raised this issue many times – in Parliament and outside Parliament. On Nov 13 last year, I asked in the House (Dewan Rakyat) about the direction of negotiations between PETRONAS and PETROS,' recounted Fadhli on his Facebook page. 'Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said replied that national interests would be prioritised. 'I've no problem with PETROS but our question is what will happen to PETRONAS after this? Who will defend the 'mother' of all assets in our country? As it is, PETRONAS and PETROS have been locking horns for more than a year now over the role of gas aggregator in the state. A resolution was supposed to have been reached on July 1, 2024 but the deadline was extended to Oct 1, 2024. Yet almost a year later, a resolution still seems elusive. On this account, Sarawak is challenging PETRONAS' hold over Malaysia's O&G reserves as stated in the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) of 1974 which gives the former control of all of Malaysia's hydrocarbon reserves. This is given Sarawak holds about 60% of Malaysia's gas reserves and accounts for 90% of Malaysia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports – attributes that have led the state-controlled PETROS to clamour for the sole aggregator's role. Hefty dividend payout Aside from the PETRONAS-PETROS drag, Fadhli also blamed the government's incessant dependency on PETRONAS dividends despite its falling profits, likening such tendency to 'a stupid and rash act akin to slaughtering the goose that lays the golden eggs'. 'What will happen now? The PETRONAS CEO himself said that if we don't 'rightsize' now, PETRONAS may disappear in 10 years,' wondered the PAS lawmaker who yesterday (June 5) demanded transparency on PETRONAS' operations after the purported sale of its Canadian subsidiary. 'But PMX and the gang are still proud to claim that investors are confident, the economy is strong, everything is supposedly under control. What stability is there if a company as big as PETRONAS has to embark on cost-saving to the extent of laying off its workers?' fumed Fadhli. 'Sadder still, there're thousands of workers to be laid off yet there's no sign of the government's plan to help them – there's no aid package nor re-employment plan. The minister is also silent as if nothing is happening.' Added the former PAS Youth chief: 'Even if this is not a sign of negligence in the management of the country's economy, do we really want to wait until PETRONAS collapses before we regret it? 'It seems that the PMX administration has lost its direction. Take a break first, focus on the Yusuf Rawther lawsuit. The country will be ruined if it continues like this.' – June 6, 2025
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Spike in vape poisoning cases in Malaysia sparks concern over illicit substances
GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia is facing a new public health threat as a sharp rise in vape-related poisoning cases, believed to be linked to illicit substances, has been reported by the National Poison Centre (NPC) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here. According to NPC, there has been a surge in poisoning cases linked to vape products suspected of containing dangerous synthetic drugs, particularly since 2022. USM NPC pharmacy officer (drug and poison information service) Mohd Fadhli Razali said it recorded 76 such cases between 2020 and 2024, with a significant increase in the past three years. "In 2022 alone, 17 cases were reported — a 65 per cent jump from the previous year. "The numbers rose to 27 cases (a 79 per cent increase) in 2023 and 26 cases (68 per cent) so far in 2024. "Disturbingly, 81 per cent of these cases involved products marketed as 'Magic Mushroom Vape', with teenagers aged 15 to 19 accounting for 41 per cent of the cases and young adults around 20 years old making up 53 per cent," he said today. Fadhli said patients exposed to these vape products often experienced severe symptoms such as seizures, fainting, vomiting, hallucinations, delusions, and even aggressive behaviour, sometimes after only one or two puffs. He said the severity of these reactions had raised concerns about the presence of synthetic cannabinoids and other toxic substances. "Subsequent testing by NPC confirmed that some vape liquids labelled as containing 'magic mushrooms' were actually laced with powerful synthetic drugs capable of causing life-threatening reactions. "These findings underscore the ease with which vape products can be tampered with and misused, especially through unregulated online sales targeting youth," he said. Fadhli called for stronger enforcement of the Poisons Act 1952 and voiced support for state-level bans on vape sales and use. He said several states had either enacted or were planning such bans, a move NPC believes is essential to protect young Malaysians from the growing threat of drug abuse disguised in vaping products. "This is no longer an isolated issue. "It has become a public health crisis. "We urge all state governments to unite in implementing a comprehensive ban on vape sales to stop the spread of these dangerous substances," he said. Fadhli said that immediate, coordinated action was needed to address the alarming trend and safeguard the future of Malaysia's youth. It was recently reported that illicit vape liquids containing synthetic drugs, including a psychoactive substance known as 'Magic Mushroom', were being sold for as little as RM1 per drop and are fast gaining popularity among school students, TV3's Buletin Utama reported. A 17-year-old teenager, who identified himself only as Zul, revealed that he became addicted to the substance at age 14, a year after he began vaping at 13. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan had also warned that vape liquids were easily manipulated with illicit substances and pose serious health risks. He said there were 24 cases of vape-related drug incidents recorded in Selangor last year, while 17 cases had been reported this year up to last month.
