Latest news with #RancakkanMADANISabah
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
PMPS regrets PM's absence, urges clarity on pension adjustment
Dr Aslie KOTA KINABALU (Aug 3): The Sabah Retired Educators Association (PMPS) has expressed disappointment over the absence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Rancakkan MADANI Sabah programme held on Sunday at the ITCC Penampang Ballroom. PMPS President Dr Aslie Sahat said many retirees, including members of the association, had travelled from various districts in hopes of meeting the Prime Minister and hearing his direct address — particularly on the pension adjustment issue, which remains a pressing concern among public sector retirees. 'We had high hopes that the pension issue would be addressed directly by the Prime Minister. However, when it was announced that he would not attend, many felt deeply disappointed,' he said in a media statement. The Prime Minister was instead represented by Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali. Despite the setback, PMPS acknowledged the efforts of all organisers and recognised the Prime Minister's demanding schedule. Dr Aslie urged for a dedicated dialogue session between the Prime Minister and retired educators in Sabah to strengthen trust and improve communication between the government and the retired teaching community. 'We are always ready to welcome him with respect. Retirees have played a vital role in nation-building and deserve to have their voices heard,' he added.
Borneo Post
7 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
13MP to tackle cost of living, strengthen food supply chain - Armizan
Armizan seated fourth from right with invited guests and participants of the seminar. PENAMPANG (Aug 3): The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) will continue the MADANI Government's mission to improve public well-being, with a focus on addressing the rising cost of living and strengthening the national food supply chain over the next five years. Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, said 13MP — covering 2026 to 2030 — serves as a medium-term development plan and strategic extension of the MADANI Economic Framework. 'This plan has been carefully crafted to encompass all key dimensions — economic sustainability, people's well-being, environmental conservation and good governance,' he told reporters after officiating the Seminar Kenegaraan Malaysia MADANI Pesara Guru (Rancakkan MADANI Sabah) here on Sunday. Armizan said one of the three main pillars of 13MP is 'Raising the Floor', which focuses heavily on cost of living issues. He noted that the cost of living is a global challenge worsened by geopolitical tensions, climate change and disruptions in food supply and security. The MADANI Government, he said, is addressing the issue through two strategic frameworks: Managing price stability and inflation; and Enhancing people's ability to sustain livelihoods through income growth and targeted assistance. 'To stabilise prices, we must address market supply and demand — including curbing market manipulation and promoting healthy competition, especially for essential goods,' he said. As part of 13MP, the government will also strengthen the national food supply chain by upgrading infrastructure, empowering the retail sector, ensuring price transparency, and tightening enforcement. Marketing infrastructure will be improved in areas such as collection, processing, packaging and distribution — supported by logistics and digital services in partnership with the private sector. 'Small and medium-scale retailers will be empowered to participate in the agro-food marketing hubs that will be introduced,' said Armizan. To ensure transparency, the government is also developing a Price and Supply Repository System, which will provide data to combat price manipulation and profiteering — including among middlemen. This system, he said, will support enforcement efforts under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and the Competition Act 2010. Its development will involve collaboration between multiple ministries and industry players to ensure an integrated, effective approach, he added.
