Latest news with #OnnHafiz
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Johor MB: Autogate system failure an embarrassment to Malaysia
JOHOR BARU: Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi did not mince his words in voicing his frustration over the autogate system failure at Johor's border crossing with Singapore, describing it as "an embarrassment to the country." The Johor Menteri Besar said the system failure reflects badly on Malaysia and the government's ability to welcome visitors. Speaking to the New Straits Times during his visit to the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex today, he said the problem has yet to be resolved. He said the issue undermined Malaysia's efforts to welcome international visitors, particularly at a time when Johor is working closely with Singapore under the Special Economic Zone framework. "We have worked so hard to promote Johor and Malaysia as open and investment-friendly — what message are we sending to the world when this happens?" "This is not just an inconvenience — it reflects on the government's competence," he said. He said the system began having problems at 3pm on Friday. "At 4.30pm today, it's still not functioning yet. This is serious and it must be addressed at the federal level to ensure it doesn't happen again," he said. Asked on theories that sabotage or hacking was behind the problem, Onn Hafiz said he did not wish to speculate. "However, our neighbouring countries such as Singapore and Thailand had not experienced similar immigration system disruptions. "We should be asking why only our system is vulnerable," he said. The Johor-Singapore border is acknowledged as one of the world's busiest cross-border land crossings, catering for an average of 300,000 people daily. In a posting on Facebook later, Onn Hafiz said his visit to the BSI was done at the decree of Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim. He said he has extended his concerns at the federal level. "we need an operations system that is efficient, consistent, and able to function at an optimum level at all times. "While there have been some improvements, it's not enough. It has yet to reach a level of efficiency we hope for. "Such weaknesses not only inconvenience the people, but also affects the country's image as it is among the busiest entry points in the region." he said. Meanwhile, Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the authorities have activated contra lanes at the state's border checkpoints to ease congestion. He said the state government was also awaiting updates from federal authorities regarding the cause of the technical disruption. "We don't know yet whether it was sabotage or otherwise. "What we do know is that the Interpol system is having issues, and we are doing what we can on the ground to manage the situation," he added.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Dzulkefly: Staffing, facilities key focus of Johor healthcare action plan
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry and the Johor government have reached a consensus on addressing healthcare issues in the state, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. "First is the improvement of the state's public healthcare system. That is our commitment, in terms of facilities and such. "Second is the need to examine human resources. This is where we directly look at the metrics and the norms. What is truly essential for a state and its facilities," he said. Dzulkefly was speaking to the press during the Precision Public Health Asia 2025 Conference in Petaling Jaya today. He added that the third and fourth focuses were on enhancing capacity and preparing new healthcare facilities nearing completion. As an example, he highlighted the staffing of the soon-to-open Pasir Gudang Hospital as a key concern. "We want that matter to be studied more granularly, in more detail, so that we can begin operations at a more reasonable level, say, at 50 per cent. We're taking that as a necessity," he said. He said that implementing solutions would require strengthened cooperation between state and federal bodies and confirmed that follow-up action had already begun. "This is why we are moving immediately. I have mobilised those responsible, together with the Johor government, so that we can follow up on this matter more swiftly," Dzulkefly said. Yesterday, Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the federal and Johor governments had agreed to establish a joint task force to tackle the worsening shortage of healthcare workers in the state's public hospitals. Ling added that the newly proposed task force would comprise senior officials from the Health Ministry and the state government. This was after Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar said Dr Dzulkefly met Onn Hafiz to discuss the critical shortage of healthcare workers reported in the state. Shamsul said he had also discussed the issue with Onn Hafiz on the sidelines of the Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers' meeting, chaired by the prime minister in Putrajaya on Monday.
Barnama
5 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
Johor, MOH Agree On Urgent Staffing Needs, Upgrades At Three Major Hospitals
JOHOR BAHRU, July 15 (Bernama) -- The Johor government and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have agreed on the urgent need to fill vacancies, improve facilities and upgrade infrastructure at three major hospitals to strengthen healthcare services and support frontline workers. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said these key matters were discussed during a meeting between the state delegation and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad in Putrajaya today. The discussion focused on enhancing the operations of Johor's three main hospitals, Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Hospital Sultan Ismail and Hospital Kulai. 'Both parties also agreed that Hospital Pasir Gudang and Klinik Kesihatan Cendana must be further improved with additional manpower and equipment ahead of their expected opening early next year. 'To ensure smooth implementation, a special task force will be set up to coordinate and monitor short-, medium-, and long-term action plans,' he said in a statement posted on Facebook. He also expressed his appreciation to the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, for his continued concern for the welfare and well-being of Johoreans, particularly in the area of public healthcare. Onn Hafiz emphasised that the state government and MOH remain committed to upholding the people's right to fair, efficient and quality medical treatment, while also safeguarding the welfare of frontline workers who form the backbone of the healthcare system. Yesterday, Onn Hafiz revealed that Johor is facing a worsening healthcare manpower crisis, with some nurses reportedly managing between 10 and 14 patients per shift, far exceeding the ideal nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:6, or a maximum of 1:8, especially at major hospitals. He described the situation as alarming, warning that it not only affects the morale of healthcare workers but also compromises the quality of care provided to patients.
The Star
5 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Johor govt working with Health Ministry to improve public health facilities, workers' welfare
JOHOR BARU: The state government is working closely with the Health Ministry to improve public health facilities and the welfare of healthcare workers, says Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The Johor Mentri Besar said this included the establishment of a special task force to oversee improvements in the management and operations of healthcare facilities statewide, including new hospitals. 'To ensure that all plans proceed smoothly, a special task force will be established to coordinate and monitor the implementation of short, medium and long-term plans. 'Johor and the Ministry remain committed to ensuring the people receive fair, efficient and quality healthcare, while also safeguarding the welfare of our frontliners who are the backbone of our healthcare system,' he said in a Facebook post. Onn Hafiz said this came following his recent meeting with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, where they discussed efforts to strengthen the management, infrastructure and facilities of major hospitals in Johor. 'The meeting focused on efforts to improve the operations of three main hospitals in Johor, namely Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA), Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) and Kulai Hospital. 'As a short-term solution, all parties agreed on the urgent need to fill critical vacancies, upgrade infrastructure and improve facilities at the existing hospitals. 'The discussion also led to an agreement that Pasir Gudang Hospital and Cendana Health Clinic should be reinforced with additional manpower and equipment ahead of their expected opening early next year,' he added.
AsiaOne
5 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
'Thousands' of Singaporeans shopping in JB driving up food, rental prices: Johor chief minister, Singapore News
The influx of Singaporeans flocking into Johor Bahru (JB) for grocery runs is pushing up the cost of living there, said Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi. Speaking at a business forum in JB on Sunday (July 13), The Star reported that he pledged to tackle inflation in Johor as the state moves towards achieving developed status by year 2030. Onn Hafiz noted that living in JB is becoming more expensive than anywhere else in Malaysia. "Thousands of Singaporeans cross the Causeway, especially on weekends, to do their grocery shopping here, and we are seeing food and rental prices going up," he said. "A plate of nasi lemak with fried chicken here is around RM9 (S$3), while the same dish in Kuala Lumpur costs only RM7. That clearly shows Johor is becoming more expensive." Housing projects selling 'like hotcakes' Addressing Malaysia's business community on Sunday, Onn Hafiz also pointed out that property prices in JB are "already higher than some in Singapore". This is due to housing projects in the state selling "like hotcakes", he said, adding that more affordable housing needs to be developed for locals. "The reason I am raising this is because I know I cannot do this alone. We must work together to make Johor, and Malaysia as a whole, more prosperous," said Onn Hafiz. The Johor chief minister added that is administration is working on a mechanism to cool inflation without choking off growth, reported the Malay Mail. More than 10 million foreign tourists visited Johor between January and May this year, with a bulk of them — about 7.9 million — coming from Singapore, according to figures from Tourism Johor. That is 1.8 million more compared to the same period in 2024. [[nid:720025]] chingshijie@
