Latest news with #RM5.8mil
The Star
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Retirement review underway
Sim: Proposal to raise limit to 65 being studied by govt panel KLANG: The Human Resources Ministry is currently reviewing the proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65, said Minister Steven Sim ( pic ). He said the matter is being examined by a special committee led by the ministry's deputy secretary-general (policy and international), Dr Mohd Shaharin Umar, as it involves labour laws that fall under the ministry's purview. He said the ministry will seek input and feedback from stakeholders – especially from the public sector, workers and employers – during the study to ensure compliance with international best practices. 'This committee will assess the suitability of raising the retirement age in Malaysia, as there are both pros and cons, along with certain challenges. However, within the ministry, labour market reforms includes reviewing all 28 existing labour laws. 'This is because some of these laws are outdated. We will look at ways to refine and harmonise them, and there are also (provisions) that we need to abolish or update,' Sim said after the central-level 2025 Union Affairs Development Grant (PHEKS) handover ceremony here yesterday. On Thursday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the proposal to raise the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65 is among the issues requiring attention and careful in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said had previously proposed that the government consider raising the mandatory retirement age. Azalina, who made the suggestion in her personal capacity, said it would be a loss for individuals to retire at 60 when they are still energetic, productive, and capable of contributing to the the event, Sim said the government had allocated RM10mil this year, up from RM5.8mil in 2024, marking the highest amount in the history of PHEKS implementation, as reported by Bernama. He said the move reflected the ministry's efforts to further strengthen the trade union movement in Malaysia, with the assistance to be used for training and educational programmes aimed at equipping union members with skills in areas such as management and leadership. 'What we are introducing this year focuses on digitalisation, encouraging unions to transition to computer technology and digital systems' he said. Of the 1,049 assistance applications received, 551 were approved, amounting to RM7.15mil, including 138 applications for the central zone, which covers Selangor and the Federal Territory, worth RM2.1mil.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
A Lowry painting once bought for £10 is now set to fetch RM5.8mil at auction
LS Lowry completed 'Going To The Mill' in 1925, with the painting reflecting his signature style of industrial landscapes and figures. It is believed to be one of the earliest sales made by the British painter. Photo: Lloyd and Turnbull A rare work by the painter LS Lowry, known for his depictions of English working-class life, originally bought for 10 pounds is expected to fetch up to £1mil (RM5.8mil) when it goes under the hammer, auctioneers said Monday. The painting, Going To The Mill, was bought by literary editor Arthur Wallace in 1926 and has been in his family ever since. Lowry, who died in 1976 at the age of 88, won fame for his paintings of industrial parts of northern England populated with his signature "matchstick" figures. The work shows mill workers scurrying to work with tall factory chimneys belching out black smoke in the background. Completed in 1925, it is believed to be one of the earliest sales made by Lowry in an unusual two-for-one deal the buyer negotiated directly with the artist. Originally priced at £30, Lowry then suggested a price of £10 for the oil on panel work, which was agreed, according to Wallace's grandson Keith Wallace. "Grandpa wrote a cheque," he said. "Then Lowry wrote back to him saying: 'I think I've charged you too much. Can I give you another one as well?' So Grandpa got two Lowrys for his £10." The Wallace family still have Lowry's letter from Nov 9, 1926 where he writes: "Many thanks for your letter and cheque for £10. I am very glad Mrs Wallace likes the picture." The second work, Manufacturing Town , was previously sold by the family. Simon Hucker, senior specialist in modern and contemporary art at the Lyon & Turnbull auction house, said the painting was a rare yet classic Lowry painting. "Going To The Mill is the epitome of a 1920s Lowry, when he truly becomes a unique voice," he said. "It is especially rare for a painting such as this to have had only one owner," he added. A work of similar size and date sold from HSBC's collection last year went for £1.2mil (RM6.9mil), Hucker said. Going To The Mill will be sold on Friday at Mall Galleries, where it is estimated to sell for £700,000 (RM4mil) to £1mil (RM5.8mil). After his death, Lowry's work was celebrated in the hit song Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Cats And Dogs by musical duo Brian and Michael. The song reached number one in the British pop charts in 1978. - AFP
