Latest news with #Malaysiakini
Malaysiakini
2 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Gig workers: Overlooked and misunderstood
LETTER | I write as a Malaysian wife and mother, deeply disappointed by a recent experience that highlights how self-employed citizens, especially those in the gig economy, are too often overlooked and misunderstood. My husband has been a full-time e-hailing driver since 2020. He owns and maintains his vehicle, files taxes, contributes to the Social Security Organisation and holds an active insurance policy. Yet when we applied for a tourist visa for a short family holiday with our six-year-old daughter, our application was rejected. Despite our responsible planning, travel history and financial documentation, the decision stated he lacked sufficient 'economic incentive' to return home. This isn't just harsh, it's discriminatory. E-hailing drivers are self-employed, not unemployed. Yet it seems that honest, consistent work is not seen as credible enough. We face the same bias at home, where banks decline car hire purchase loan applications even with proof of regular income. And now we are waiting for the petrol subsidies mechanism. Some say it may be assessed based on household income; if so, families like ours, where the spouse is also working, risk being unfairly excluded. Not 'secure' enough How does one even assess an e-hailing driver's 'net income'? Is it before or after deducting petrol, loan instalments, insurance and car maintenance? These details are often invisible to systems designed only for salaried employees. And yet, these are the very people who keep our cities moving. We saved diligently for this trip, bought insurance, and prepared everything with care. But now we have to explain to our daughter that it won't happen, not because her father did anything wrong, but because his work isn't considered 'secure' enough. I hope this letter raises awareness not just about visa policies, but about how we value dignity, responsibility and contribution in today's evolving workforce. Honest work should be respected, not rejected. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Malaysiakini
a day ago
- General
- Malaysiakini
Echoes of the gong: Kaamatan and the soul of Sabah
COMMENT | Each year, as May draws to a close, the gentle rhythm of the gong echoes through Sabah's valleys and hills, heralding the Kaamatan festival - a time of harvest, gratitude, and deep cultural reflection among the Kadazandusun-Murut-Rungus (KDMR) communities. Kaamatan, traditionally held at the end of the padi harvesting season, was once a village-scale celebration to give thanks to Bambarayon, the rice spirit. Today, while festivities are larger and more modern, the soul of the festival remains intact, especially for Christians like Mariati Bakait, an ethnic Kadazandusun who hails from Ranau. 'Kaamatan isn't just about merrymaking. It's about honouring the sacrifice that gave us life, like Huminodun's,' said the school teacher, referring to the mythic maiden who gave her body to restore life to the land during a great famine. 'Her story still teaches us what love and courage really mean,' Mariati tells Malaysiakini.
Malaysiakini
3 days ago
- General
- Malaysiakini
Echoes of the gong: Kaamatan and the soul of Sabah
COMMENT | Each year, as May draws to a close, the gentle rhythm of the gong echoes through Sabah's valleys and hills, heralding the Kaamatan festival - a time of harvest, gratitude, and deep cultural reflection among the Kadazandusun-Murut-Rungus (KDMR) communities. Kaamatan, traditionally held at the end of the padi harvesting season, was once a village-scale celebration to give thanks to Bambarayon, the rice spirit. Today, while festivities are larger and more modern, the soul of the festival remains intact, especially for Christians like Mariati Bakait, an ethnic Kadazandusun who hails from Ranau. 'Kaamatan isn't just about merrymaking. It's about honouring the sacrifice that gave us life, like Huminodun's,' said the school teacher, referring to the mythic maiden who gave her body to restore life to the land during a great famine. 'Her story still teaches us what love and courage really mean,' Mariati tells Malaysiakini.
Malaysiakini
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
PKR's Plan B? The curious rise of Nurul Izzah amid legal shadows
LETTER | In Malaysian politics, timing is never a coincidence. The recent move to elevate Nurul Izzah Anwar as PKR deputy president has raised more than a few eyebrows, not just for its optics of dynastic politics, but also for the timing that aligns suspiciously with renewed murmurs about PKR president Anwar Ibrahim's pending case involving Yusoff Rawther. Could this strategic positioning be more than just a ceremonial promotion? Could it be PKR's Plan B, quietly acknowledging the possibility that Anwar might once again be entangled in a legal battle that could cost him his position? Let's not forget, the prime minister has applied for immunity, a highly unusual move for someone claiming innocence. Why seek immunity if you believe the case has no merit? Does the application suggest an underlying fear, a feeling of vulnerability, or a covert effort to ensure continuity should the judgment be unfavourable? Enter Nurul Izzah. Well-liked, media-savvy, and portrayed as the 'Puteri Reformasi', she checks all the boxes for public appeal. More importantly, she represents political insurance. With her as deputy president, PKR ensures the Anwar brand survives even if Anwar himself is sidelined. But this move isn't just about family ties. It's about consolidating control. It's about keeping PKR within the family circle, especially at a time when internal cracks are beginning to show and faith in reformist ideals continues to wane. The irony? PKR once prided itself as a party against nepotism and cronyism. Today, it mimics the very culture it sought to dismantle, with the daughter waiting in the wings just in case history repeats itself. Whether this is foresight or fear, one thing is clear. PKR is preparing for a future where Anwar may not be at the helm, voluntarily or otherwise. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Malaysiakini
5 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Lawyers weigh in on Anwar's unprecedented immunity claim
Anwar Ibrahim's unprecedented bid for immunity from civil lawsuits has sparked a debate over its constitutional basis, with several prominent lawyers expressing scepticism about whether the Federal Constitution grants such protection to sitting prime ministers. The lawyers told Malaysiakini that such immunity predominantly does not apply to members of the government.
