Latest news with #Miti
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
KL mayor: Include women in decision-making spaces
A NEW whole-of-society approach is needed to empower women across all economic sectors to unlock the full potential of the 'sheconomy'. This, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said, would drive inclusive, sustainable development in the Asean region. She said women must be included in decision-making spaces and recognised as key architects of change, especially in city-level transformation where daily life is most affected. Dr Wan Azizah (seated centre) and guests with attendees of the Asean 2024 WEF at the Miti building in Kuala Lumpur. 'The 'sheconomy' is not a parallel economy. It is a reimagining of our whole economy, powered by inclusion. 'Inclusion is not charity; it is good policy,' she said in a Bernama report. Maimunah was speaking at a plenary session titled 'Asean Women Leading Social Change: Integrating Social Goals with Economic Growth in the 'sheconomy'', at the Women Economic Forum (WEF) Asean 2025 held at the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) building in Kuala Lumpur. Maimunah, a former executive director of UN-Habitat, said it was key to embed gender equity into urban governance, budgeting and service delivery. She said this aligned with the Asean Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework 2021-2025 and stressed the importance of having Kuala Lumpur put the framework into practice by ensuring better housing, transport and public health policies serve women. Maimunah also shared initiatives by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) through the Safe City Programme, which includes the installation of 10,000 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and improved street lighting. 'These efforts are not just for safety, but for dignity and inclusion. 'We are creating safer zones, better transit points and walkable neighbourhoods centred on women's mobility. 'In 2024, crime dropped by 15% in the upgraded areas and women reported feeling safer,' she said. Despite the progress, she said only 10% of local councils in Malaysia are led by women. Maimunah added that the private sector plays a crucial role in unlocking the potential of the 'sheconomy' by elevating women into leadership positions, fostering inclusive innovation and building supportive workplace cultures. 'Gender-smart investing, mentorship programmes and targeted support for women-led start-ups, particularly in the green and digital sectors, are how we activate the 'sheconomy'. 'Academia plays a part too, by producing gender-disaggregated data, training women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), governance as well as documenting what works. 'Communities must be empowered. Women entrepreneurs, mothers and youth must be recognised, not just as participants, but as planners and leaders,' she said. Maimunah, who is Kuala Lumpur's first female mayor, said since joining DBKL in August last year, strides had been made to close the leadership gap. She said currently, women make up 29.3% of DBKL staff, 43.6% of professionals, 44% of department heads and 40% of top management, surpassing the 30% benchmark for women representation in top management roles. Maimunah was also conferred the 'Women of the Decade' award alongside Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad by the Prime Minister's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's June exports fall 3.5pc but trade surplus rebounds to RM8.59b amid US tariffs
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Malaysia's trade performance remained firm in the first half of 2025 (1H2025), rising by 4.8 per cent to RM1.46 trillion compared to the corresponding period in 2024, according to the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti). In a statement today, Miti said exports were up by 3.8 per cent to RM760.2 billion and imports rose 5.9 per cent to RM704.67 billion, while the trade surplus stood at RM55.53 billion. 'Trade performance for June 2025, however, experienced a modest 1.2 per cent decline to RM234.85 billion compared to June 2024. 'Exports contracted by 3.5 per cent to RM121.72 billion, while imports rose 1.2 per cent to RM113.13 billion,' it said. Miti said trade surplus rebounded to RM8.59 billion in June from RM759.9 million in May, marking the 62nd consecutive month of surplus since May 2020, thus reflecting continued resilience in Malaysia's external trade position. The ministry primarily attributed the decline in exports in June to lower shipments of manufactured and mining goods, particularly petroleum products, liquified natural gas and crude petroleum. 'This contraction was partly cushioned by continued strength in exports of palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, which posted double-digit growth in June 2025, extending its growth streak to the 15th consecutive months. 'This was also supported by increased exports of machinery, equipment and parts as well as electrical and electronics (E&E) products,' it added. Miti said the growth in E&E exports is consistent with the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics projection of an 11.2 per cent rise in global semiconductor sales for 2025. In terms of destinations, exports to major trading partners, namely the United States, the European Union and Taiwan, registered growth in June 2025. 'Exports to Mexico also increased, primarily driven by higher shipments of E&E products. 'As for the United States' tariff measures, Malaysia remains committed to continuing engagement to achieve a balanced and mutually beneficial bilateral trade arrangement,' it said. The ministry said Miti and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation are also intensifying efforts to build a more resilient trade ecosystem, including diversifying export markets and strengthening trade ties through Free Trade Agreements. — Bernama
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Miti served LOD over alleged use of creative firm's pavilion design
KUALA LUMPUR: The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) has been served a letter of demand from a creative consultancy company who is seeking acknowledgement and compensation for use of the firm's designs for the Malaysian pavilion at the Osaka World Expo in Japan. In a statement, Current Media Group (CMG) said should Miti fail to respond satisfactorily within the statutory period, it would pursue every legal remedy available through the law. "After exhausting all informal avenues for dialogue and giving Miti ample time to act in good faith, CMG instructed its counsel to formally issue a Letter of Demand on July 17 seeking formal acknowledgment of CMG's contributions and fair compensation. "Should Miti fail to respond satisfactorily within the statutory period, CMG will pursue every legal remedy available under Malaysian law. "CMG reiterates its willingness to engage in constructive mediation at any time, so long as that process is undertaken in good faith, recognises the value of creative labour, and upholds equitable terms," it said. On April 25, CMG's founder Fey Ilyas claimed that the concept, theme, and narrative structure of the Malaysia Pavilion bore clear similarities to the proposal CMG developed and presented to Miti before the official tender process. The post quickly garnered attention, prompting Miti to issue a statement on April 26 indicating that an internal investigation was under way.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Agency accuses Miti of snubbing talks, takes legal route over Osaka Expo design dispute
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — A direct marketing company has reportedly issued a letter of demand to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) after previously alleging that the latter had used its designs for the Malaysian pavilion at the Osaka World Expo in Japan without permission. Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported that Current Media Group Sdn Bhd's (CMG) is seeking formal recognition of its contributions to the project, and the legal move was made after all informal avenues for dialogue were exhausted after Miti was given 'ample time to act in good faith'. 'Should Miti fail to respond satisfactorily within the statutory period, CMG will pursue every legal remedy available under Malaysian law,' it reportedly said. 'CMG reiterates its willingness to engage in constructive mediation at any time, so long as that process is undertaken in good faith, recognises the value of creative labour, and upholds equitable terms,' it added. In April, Miti said it was investigating claims made on social media alleging that it had used a creative agency's concept for the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka without credit or payment. The ministry said it has taken note of the allegations, which have been widely shared online following a viral Instagram post by Fey Ilyas. The ministry did not name the individual or agency involved, but the viral post by Fey Ilyas — shared under the handle @feyilyas — accused the government of using the agency's concept, theme, narrative and architectural direction for the Malaysia Pavilion, without credit or compensation. In the post, Fey said the team had 'helped secure approvals, brought in world-class partners, and shaped the foundation' of Malaysia's presence at the global expo. He also claimed the agency was told to stay quiet or risk losing future opportunities. FMT reported that despite Miti's response, CMG said it had not received any requests for documents, interviews, or clarification from the ministry.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Miti issued LoD over alleged plagiarism of expo designs
Current Media Group founder Fey Ilyas took to social media in April to accuse the ministry of using his company's designs for the expo without payment or credit. (Expo 2025 pic) PETALING JAYA : A direct marketing company has issued the investment, trade and industry ministry (Miti) a letter of demand seeking compensation for use of the firm's designs for the Malaysian pavilion at the Osaka World Expo in Japan. Current Media Group (CMG) is also demanding acknowledgement of its contributions. In a statement, CMG said it decided to issue an LoD to the ministry yesterday after exhausting all informal avenues for dialogue and giving Miti 'ample time to act in good faith'. 'Should Miti fail to respond satisfactorily within the statutory period, CMG will pursue every legal remedy available under Malaysian law,' it said. On April 25, CMG founder Fey Ilyas took to social media to accuse Miti of using his company's designs for the expo without payment or credit. Fey claimed that his company was engaged by the ministry in 2022 to develop the concept, theme, and architectural direction of the Malaysian pavilion. He said a proposal was presented to key stakeholders, including the minister, Tengku Zafrul Aziz, and the company was repeatedly assured that it would be formally appointed for the project. However, it was told in January 2023 that the appointment would not proceed and that the ministry wanted to open a tender. Fey claimed that his company was given the runaround for two years when it tried to get acknowledgement and fair compensation for its work. He said his company was also advised to stay silent about the alleged appropriation to prevent jeopardising future opportunities. Miti subsequently said that it was conducting an internal investigation, and that it took the allegation seriously. It said it would take legal action 'if and when necessary'. However, CMG said it had not received a single request for documents, interviews, or clarification since Miti's statement, nor had the ministry provided a substantive update on the status of its inquiry. 'CMG reiterates its willingness to engage in constructive mediation at any time, so long as that process is undertaken in good faith, recognises the value of creative labour, and upholds equitable terms,' it said.
