Latest news with #MonnaOngSiewSiew
The Star
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Minister's crude response to MyKiosk criticism betrays the spirit of ‘Malaysia Madani'
Datuk Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew, MCA Public Policy and People's Livelihood Research Advisory Committee Chairperson. The recent crude and disparaging remarks made by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming regarding the MyKiosk programme compel a firm and reasoned response. As a federal Cabinet Minister, Nga should uphold restraint, dignity, and responsibility. Yet, when addressing legitimate questions about MyKiosk, he resorted to coarse language and emotional personal attacks. This behaviour is unbecoming of his office, damages the government's credibility, and departs from the spirit of 'Malaysia Madani', which calls for civility, rationality and mutual respect. In a democracy, differing political views are natural — but dialogue must always be grounded in respect. Disagreements should never descend into insults. The authority of a public servant is not measured by their rhetoric's sharpness, but by their ability to respond with facts, logic, and transparency. The higher one's office, the greater the duty to set a good example and help foster a more mature, inclusive political culture. The MyKiosk initiative involves tens of millions of ringgit in taxpayer money. It is intended to support small traders and low-income groups. The questions raised about the programme's cost, procurement process, and execution are legitimate, necessary, and responsible — not attempts to create controversy. Oversight is essential for a functioning democracy, and public officials should welcome such scrutiny, not attempt to shut it down with mockery. Unfortunately, Nga has blurred the line between scrutiny and hostility. Rather than respond with wisdom and composure, he has chosen humiliation and derision. This damages not only civil discourse but also weakens public trust in the institutions we rely on for good governance. Let us be clear: when it comes to public welfare — especially policies affecting the everyday lives of the rakyat — scrutiny and transparency are non-negotiable. A mature, responsible government must answer to the people with facts and engage in open dialogue. It is especially disappointing that Nga, who once demanded accountability as a vocal opposition MP, now resorts to rhetoric unbecoming of his position. This sets a poor example and risks misleading younger Malaysians about what responsible democracy looks like. We must ask: Is raising concerns wrong? Is carrying out oversight unacceptable? In any healthy democracy, questioning public policies should never be met with disdain. True political maturity lies in embracing dissent, resolving disagreements with dialogue, and leading with humility and accountability. This issue is not just about MyKiosk. It reflects the broader state of our political culture. If fair and reasoned scrutiny can be labelled as provocation and silenced with insults, how far are we from the ideals of 'Malaysia Madani'? As a body dedicated to public policy and people's welfare, we have a responsibility to defend reason, uphold democratic values, and ensure public accountability. I urge all leaders — especially ministers — to choose their words with care, act with integrity, and never let personal emotion jeopardise public trust or tarnish our democratic institutions. 'Malaysia Madani' must be more than a slogan — it must be proven in every word, every policy, and every action taken in service of the people and the nation. Datuk Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew, MCA Public Policy and People's Livelihood Research Advisory Committee Chairperson
The Star
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
MCA partners with Shanghai-based institute to address youth issues
MCA Public Policy and People's Livelihood Research Advisory committee chairperson Datuk Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew (middle left) shaking hands with Institute of Sociology at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences director Professor Li Jun, joined by Malaysia and China delegates during the official visit to the academy. PETALING JAYA: A joint partnership between MCA and a Chinese educational institution will further explore issues and challenges involving youth, says Datuk Dr. Monna Ong Siew Siew. The joint effort with the Institute of Sociology at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences would include organising seminars, conferences and forums, along with a five-year research project focused on youth-related issues, added the chairperson of MCA's Public Policy and People's Livelihood Research Advisory committee. Ong said the mutual agreement was signed on Sunday (May 11). 'This agreement marks an essential step in strengthening both institutions' academic collaboration and mutual understanding. 'These initiatives aim to promote dialogue and the sharing of academic knowledge and resources,' she said in a statement on Monday (May 12). Ong said key challenges faced by young people in Malaysia and Southeast Asia in the digital age era were discussed at the International Symposium on the Digital Society and Youth Development. She highlighted that although Malaysia's internet usage rate has reached 96.8%, there remains a more than 30% gap in advanced digital skills between urban and rural students. 'This limits the ability of many youths to compete and succeed in a digital world. 'The digital environment is changing how young people are likely to think and feel, with potential overuse of virtual platforms raising concerns about mental health. 'According to UNICEF, more than half of youths report a clear gap between how they present themselves online and who they are in real life, which can lead to a disconnect that contributes to stress and anxiety,' she added. To address the issues, Ong said a shared vision was reached to build a resilient, fair and forward-thinking digital ecosystem for youth. Among the proposed strategies were making digital citizenship education a standard part of school curricula, teaching students how to evaluate information and use media responsibly and establishing support systems in schools to build mental resilience. This includes 'Digital Mental Health Watchpoints' that use AI tools and mental health indicators to monitor and respond to students' digital habits and well-being. Ong also said that young people should be encouraged to transition from passive consumers to active creators by developing 'community digital learning spaces' to enhance their sense of belonging and creativity. 'There is also a need to strengthen Asean regional collaboration by aligning policies in important areas like cybersecurity and data governance,' she said. Several Malaysian scholars also contributed to the forum, including Associate Professor Dr. Yee Mun Chin from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR); Associate Professor Dr. Yew Wong Chin from Tunku Abdul Rahman; Sabah MCA Youth state chairman Roger Yapp Kah Chong and Dr Martin Paul Davies, Principal of Henry VIII College Malaysia.
