Latest news with #NationalResilienceCollege
Sinar Daily
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Government agencies must boost media collaboration to rebuild public trust, says Karangkraf advisor
Government urged to improve information sharing for public credibility Datuk Muhammad Nasir Hamzah at The National Resilience College Roundtable held at the National Resilience College, Putrajaya, on Wednesday. PUTRAJAYA – Government agencies must improve their collaboration with the media and their information-sharing practices. This is crucial for restoring public trust in official news, according to Karangkraf Joint Advisor Datuk Muhamad Nasir Hamzah. Speaking at The National Resilience College in Putrajaya, he highlighted how inconsistent and delayed information from various government ministries and departments can lead to public confusion and misinformation. Datuk Muhammad Nasir Hamzah at The National Resilience College Roundtable held at the National Resilience College, Putrajaya, on Wednesday. 'Sometimes, when an incident occurs, official information is delayed. "When it does arrive, there are contradictions between one ministry and another or between departments,' he said. He cited the recent Putra Heights fire in Subang Jaya, Selangor as an example, where a clear explanation only surfaced several days later. Themed 'A Whole-of-Society Approach to National Security,' the session also featured Lieutenant General Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng and discussed the role of media in advancing strategic communication, public trust and societal resilience. Nasir expressed concern that delays in delivering verified information create opportunities for social media to dominate public perception, even when the content is false. He warned that artificial intelligence (AI) now poses new challenges in identifying the authenticity of news content. To address these issues, he proposed the establishment of a centralised, strategic media communication office to coordinate messages from government agencies before sharing them with the public. 'We need a media liaison office to coordinate statements from various agencies before they are shared with journalists and the public. "If information is delayed or inconsistent, it can cause confusion and various speculations. 'If the appointed officer lacks a background in media, it makes the communication process more difficult, when in fact media is a crucial instrument, not only for the government, but for the well-being of the people," he said. He stressed the need for the government to invest in public communication infrastructure continuously. 'The government must ensure that public communication infrastructure is constantly improved. "If that does not happen and the people continue relying on social media as their main source, then it is a warning sign that must be taken seriously. 'Public trust can only be built through the dissemination of information that is accurate, prompt and responsible," he added. More Like This
Sinar Daily
5 days ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
"There's no greater honour" Johnny Lim on shared duty for all, encourages more Chinese to join service
SHAH ALAM – Defending the nation is not the responsibility of any one race, but a collective duty that must be embraced by all Malaysians, including the Chinese community. National Resilience College (NRC) Commandant newly-minted Lieutenant General Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng called for a shift in mindset and greater participation across all ethnic groups in national defence. Lim said the current composition of the Malaysian Armed Forces shows an overwhelming majority of Malay personnel, with only a small fraction representing the Chinese community. 'There are currently fewer than 300 Chinese personnel in the military, both officers and other ranks, which amounts to just 0.03 per cent out of 85,000. That is a very small number,' he said during an exclusive interview with Sinar Daily at the NRC in Putrajaya. He urged the Chinese community to view national service as an honour, not a burden. 'There's no greater honour than serving your country. The experiences you gain in the military cannot be replicated elsewhere or measured in monetary terms,' he said, adding that he had previously written to encourage more Chinese youth to join the armed forces. Lim, who served with distinction, described military life as deeply fulfilling and said serving alongside fellow Malaysians instilled strong values such as discipline, teamwork and leadership. Reflecting on past trends, he noted that the Chinese community once had greater representation in the military, particularly during the formative years of Malaysia's defence forces. However, over time, these numbers declined. To reverse this trend, he said various initiatives have been introduced including relaxed entry requirements at one stage, particularly for enlisted ranks. While officer recruitment continues to uphold rigorous standards, efforts were continously being made to attract more Chinese Malaysians to consider the military as a career path. He pointed out that the military continues to uphold strict selection standards and medical screenings, with even more rigorous processes in place for officer candidates, who must undergo multiple rounds of assessment. In today's increasingly technology-driven environment, he added, the focus is on recruiting capable individuals with the skills needed to operate advanced military systems. Image for illustrative purposes only. - CANVA Lim acknowledged that cultural and economic factors may contribute to lower Chinese participation such as the pursuit of more lucrative or secure careers in the private sector. 'Not everyone is suited for military life; it's tough, both physically and mentally. The same goes for leadership. A true leader must earn the trust of their team and inspire confidence,' he said. Nonetheless, he stressed that national defence must be a shared responsibility and that patriotism should be cultivated from an early age. He said that a sense of national duty should be nurtured among all Malaysians, irrespective of race, with schools and the education system playing a crucial role in building this awareness from an early age. Recalling his own formative years, Lim shared how he joined the cadet corps in school and attended training camps during term breaks. 'Even as a teenager, I learned how to handle a weapon safely and more importantly, I learned about discipline, teamwork and what it means to be part of something greater than yourself,' he said, adding that he had always dreamt of joining the service since young. He also expressed support for the government's recent move to reintroduce the National Service Training Programme (PLKN 2.0), calling it a positive step in nurturing patriotism among youth, particularly within the Chinese community. According to Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, as of May 2024, the Malaysian Armed Forces comprises 85.81 percent Malays, 8.0 percent Bumiputera from Sarawak, 6.9 percent Bumiputera from Sabah, 1.5 percent Indians, 0.5 percent Chinese, 0.8 percent Indigenous communities and 0.6 percent from other ethnic groups. Following the announcement of his promotion, a Pas leader sparked controversy after speculating that Malaysia could see its first prime minister of Chinese descent within the next 30 to 40 years. In a now-deleted Facebook post, Sungai Buloh Pas chief Zaharudin Muhammad painted a hypothetical scenario in which Malaysia's 50th prime minister in the year 2058 would be a Chinese individual born in Kampung Sungai Baru. His comments drew criticism online, with many accusing him of stoking racial sentiments and promoting divisive narratives. Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has since clarified that the post reflected the personal opinion of the individual involved and was 'entirely contrary' to the party's policies and values. 'The appointment of Datuk Johnny Lim is a historic event that should be celebrated by all Malaysians, not questioned - much less belittled - simply because of his ethnic background,' Takiyuddin said. In 2018, similar concerns were raised by Pas leaders following the appointments of Richard Malanjum as Chief Justice, Tommy Thomas as Attorney-General, and Lim Guan Eng as Finance Minister. At the time, Pas leaders questioned the suitability of non-Malays and non-Muslims holding top national posts. Both Malanjum and Thomas are Christians.
