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The Star
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Rally an attempt to remain politically relevant says PM's aide
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin has dismissed the upcoming "Turun Anwar" protest as a political ploy by a "small group" seeking to maintain relevance. He asserted that the demonstration, scheduled to take place in the federal capital on July 26, was not a genuine expression of public discontent as claimed by its organisers. "This protest is not about the rakyat, it is about a small group attempting to reverse what they failed to achieve through the ballot box," he said in his speech at the National Economic Forum organised by the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia here on Thursday (July 17). He said the government had been given the mandate through a free and fair election and had been working tirelessly since then to resolve long-standing issues left by previous administrations such as institutional decay, weaknesses in governance and fiscal mismanagement. "If a change is desired, contest the next election, that is the democratic way... Malaysia must not be distracted by this noise. What we need now is maturity, unity and delivery," he added. Shamsul Iskandar said what the country needed most was wise leadership and not leaders chasing headlines or popularity contests, but those who think beyond themselves, who ask, "What will this country look like when I am gone?" A wise leader, he said, is a leader who "builds institutions, not ego; builds trust, not tribes; builds for the next generation, not the next election". "This is precisely the leadership style of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: restrained, principled and focused on service – leading reforms one by one, rebuilding trust, strengthening institutions and ensuring that no one is left behind. "It is the same leadership that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar commands at the regional level as Asean chair, which gathered top diplomats of the United States, China and Russia in Kuala Lumpur recently, an impressive diplomatic achievement," he said. – Bernama

Barnama
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
'Turun Anwar' Protest An Attempt To Remain Politically Relevant, Says PM's Aide
KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, has dismissed the upcoming 'Turun Anwar' protest as a political ploy by a 'small group' seeking to maintain relevance. He asserted that the demonstration, scheduled to take place in the federal capital on July 26, is not a genuine expression of public discontent as claimed by its organisers. 'This (protest) is not about the rakyat, it is about a small group attempting to reverse what they failed to achieve through the ballot box,' he said in his speech at the National Economic Forum organised by the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia here today. bootstrap slideshow He said the government was given the mandate through a free and fair election and had been working tirelessly since then to resolve long-standing issues left by previous administrations such as institutional decay, weaknesses in governance and fiscal mismanagement. 'If a change is desired, contest the next election, that is the democratic must not be distracted by this noise. What we need now is maturity, unity and delivery,' he added. Shamsul Iskandar said, what the country needed most is wise leadership and not leaders chasing headlines or popularity contests — but leaders who think beyond themselves, who ask 'What will this country look like when I am gone?.' bootstrap slideshow A wise leader he said, is a leader who 'Builds institutions, not ego; Builds trust, not tribes; Builds for the next generation, not the next election.' 'This is precisely the leadership style of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: restrained, principled, and focused on service — leading reforms one by one, rebuilding trust, strengthening institutions and ensuring that no one is left behind. 'It is the same wise leadership that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar commands at the regional level as ASEAN Chair that gathered the top diplomats of United States, China and Russia in Kuala Lumpur recently which was an impressive diplomatic achievement,' he said. -- BERNAMA


The Star
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Brunei business conference spotlights innovation-driven growth
A general view of Bandar Seri Begawan from Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas. Brunei is strategically located in one of the world's fastest-growing regions. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: For Brunei to pursue the country's Vision 2035 for a high quality of life, a dynamic and sustainable economy and a well-educated society, growth needs to be driven by innovation, digital progress, sustainability and inclusivity, a government minister said on Tuesday (July 1). Brunei also has to effectively address current global trends and challenges, such as investment in disruptive technologies including artificial intelligence as potential sources of future growth, said Abdul Manaf Metussin, minister of primary resources and tourism, at the Brunei Business Conference 2025 held near the capital on Tuesday. The minister also said Brunei is strategically located in one of the world's fastest-growing regions, offering significant opportunities for growth in deep-tech sectors through advanced, research-driven innovations that address complex challenges. Abdul Saman Ahmad, president of the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei and an Asean Business Advisory Council member, said achieving Brunei Vision 2035 takes a whole-of-nation approach, and the private sector has a pivotal role to play, not just in economic growth but also in shaping the future of policy and regional cooperation. Under the theme "Building a Future-Ready Economy: Investment, Innovation and Inclusive Growth," the Brunei Business Conference 2025 gathered over 200 senior policymakers, business leaders, and regional partners for a strategic dialogue on Brunei's economic transformation and its role in a rapidly evolving regional and global landscape. - Xinhua


The Sun
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Kosovo incentives for Malaysian investment
KUALA LUMPUR: Kosovo, the landlocked Balkan country, is seeking Malaysian investments across a wide-range of sectors including information and communication technology, renewable energy as well as manufacturing, visiting Kosovo President Dr Vjosa Osmani Sadriu said today. Despite Kosovo's small size, she said sweeteners to lure Malaysian investments included access to the lucrative consumer base in excess of 600 million people based on the country's free trade agreements with the entire European continent. 'This means that investing in Kosovo offers the same opportunities as investing across Europe,' she said, alluding to Kosovo's efforts to consolidate its economy through FDIs and build up its somewhat fragmented industrial and manufacturing sector. 'With the ease of doing business, Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe which is multilingual and tech-savvy, along with labour costs being much lower than in other European countries,' she told Bernama in an interview here today. This coupled with numerous incentives for foreign direct investment offers significant potential for Malaysian businesses, said Osmani, who is on a four-day official visit to Malaysia. During her visit, she met representatives from the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) to discuss investment opportunities Kosovo offers to Malaysian businesses. Although no agreements were signed during the visit, discussions are ongoing and progress is being made, she said. The Kosovian President said the first step would be to hold a joint economic forum with businesses from Kosovo and Malaysia to help identify key areas for a future trade agreement. 'Our teams are actively discussing potential areas of cooperation and I hope Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will visit our country soon to help finalise these agreements,' she said. She said she expects a direct flight between the Kosovian capital of Pristina and Kuala Lumpur in the future which would significantly ease communication and travel between the two countries, which established diplomatic ties in 2011. Osmani arrived in Malaysia on Thursday, her first visit to the country since assuming office on April 4, 2021. Malaysia officially recognised Kosovo on Oct 30, 2008, becoming one of the first Asian countries to do so, with formal diplomatic relations established on March 18, 2011. 'Even now, connections are quite good, mostly through Istanbul with other daily routes available as well. However, direct flights are always a more convenient way to enhance communication and travel,' she said. She also highlighted the appeal of regional tourism packages that include Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro, which are gaining popularity among ASEAN tourists. Osmani said Kosovo was looking to increase its exports globally, including to Malaysia, particularly in the ICT sector. 'Of course, Europe has been the main hub for our exports so far, but in the past couple of years, exports have quadrupled to the United States and several other countries. 'Our businesses are now looking for new markets where they can export their products, and I believe that once the joint economic forum takes place and businesses begin engaging with one another, they will be able to identify the specific needs in this part of the world,' she said. Osmani said Kosovo is also seeking to expand exports to Malaysia, particularly in the food and energy sectors besides ICT. 'Our businesses are already exporting to Europe, the United States and Africa. We see Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region as important new markets,' she said. Last year, trade between Malaysia and Kosovo amounted to RM28.55 million, with Malaysia's exports valued at RM25.92 million and imports at RM2.63 million.


Malaysian Reserve
03-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Kosovo offers incentives to attract Malaysian investments in key sectors
Kosovo, the landlocked Balkan country, is seeking Malaysian investments across a wide-range of sectors including information and communication technology, renewable energy as well as manufacturing, visiting Kosovo President Dr Vjosa Osmani Sadriu said today. Despite Kosovo's small size, she said sweeteners to lure Malaysian investments included access to the lucrative consumer base in excess of 600 million people based on the country's free trade agreements with the entire European continent. 'This means that investing in Kosovo offers the same opportunities as investing across Europe,' she said, alluding to Kosovo's efforts to consolidate its economy through FDIs and build up its somewhat fragmented industrial and manufacturing sector. 'With the ease of doing business, Kosovo has the youngest population in Europe which is multilingual and tech-savvy, along with labour costs being much lower than in other European countries,' she told Bernama in an interview here today. This coupled with numerous incentives for foreign direct investment offers significant potential for Malaysian businesses, said Osmani, who is on a four-day official visit to Malaysia. During her visit, she met representatives from the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) to discuss investment opportunities Kosovo offers to Malaysian businesses. Although no agreements were signed during the visit, discussions are ongoing and progress is being made, she said. The Kosovian President said the first step would be to hold a joint economic forum with businesses from Kosovo and Malaysia to help identify key areas for a future trade agreement. 'Our teams are actively discussing potential areas of cooperation and I hope Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will visit our country soon to help finalise these agreements,' she said. She said she expects a direct flight between the Kosovian capital of Pristina and Kuala Lumpur in the future which would significantly ease communication and travel between the two countries, which established diplomatic ties in 2011. Osmani arrived in Malaysia on Thursday, her first visit to the country since assuming office on April 4, 2021. Malaysia officially recognised Kosovo on Oct 30, 2008, becoming one of the first Asian countries to do so, with formal diplomatic relations established on March 18, 2011. 'Even now, connections are quite good, mostly through Istanbul with other daily routes available as well. However, direct flights are always a more convenient way to enhance communication and travel,' she said. She also highlighted the appeal of regional tourism packages that include Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro, which are gaining popularity among ASEAN tourists. Osmani said Kosovo was looking to increase its exports globally, including to Malaysia, particularly in the ICT sector. 'Of course, Europe has been the main hub for our exports so far, but in the past couple of years, exports have quadrupled to the United States and several other countries. 'Our businesses are now looking for new markets where they can export their products, and I believe that once the joint economic forum takes place and businesses begin engaging with one another, they will be able to identify the specific needs in this part of the world,' she said. Osmani said Kosovo is also seeking to expand exports to Malaysia, particularly in the food and energy sectors besides ICT. 'Our businesses are already exporting to Europe, the United States and Africa. We see Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region as important new markets,' she said. Last year, trade between Malaysia and Kosovo amounted to RM28.55 million, with Malaysia's exports valued at RM25.92 million and imports at RM2.63 million. — BERNAMA