Latest news with #Seri
New Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysia committed to diplomacy, legal path on maritime borders: Anwar
JAKARTA: Malaysia has never adopted an aggressive stance in addressing maritime border issues with Indonesia, including the long-standing dispute in the Sulawesi Sea, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. At a dialogue with the Association of Malaysian Indonesian Journalists (ISWAMI) and chief editors of major Indonesian media outlets here today, Anwar stressed that Malaysia remains committed to legal frameworks and diplomatic negotiations. "We follow the legal path. We do not take an aggressive stance. Both sides must avoid encroaching into each other's territory," he said. Anwar, currently on a working visit to Indonesia, is accompanied by federal and state leaders, including Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, whose presence, he said, is meant to facilitate discussions with Indonesia, particularly on matters involving East Malaysia. Also present at the meeting were ISWAMI Malaysia president Ashwad Ismail, ISWAMI Indonesia president Asro Kamal Rokan, ISWAMI Malaysia deputy president Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman, and Indonesia Chief Editors Forum (Forum Pemred) representative Taufiq Rahman. The dispute in the Sulawesi Sea involving overlapping maritime claims between East Kalimantan (Indonesia) and southeastern Sabah (Malaysia) has persisted since Malaysia published a map of its maritime boundaries in 1979. Tensions peaked in 2005, prompting the formation of ISWAMI, a bilateral media initiative composed of top editors from both nations, to help promote constructive narratives and reduce friction over sensitive bilateral issues. According to a written reply dated July 22 on the Malaysian Parliament portal, Malaysia's Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) maintains that the ND6 and ND7 oil exploration blocks in the Sulawesi Sea fall within Malaysian sovereign territory under international law. The ministry said Malaysia's stance is based on international legal principles, including the 2002 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning nearby territorial disputes.
Daily Maverick
13 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Maverick
When xenophobia rears its ugly head it is time to ask the right questions
Have you noticed how, without fail, the ugly head of xenophobia always seems to re-emerge in the run-up to local elections? It's no accident. It's a strategy, and one we've seen play out time and again. When political failures pile up and service delivery grinds to a halt, scapegoating foreign nationals becomes a convenient distraction. Instead of holding local government accountable for broken promises, potholes, power cuts and clinics without doctors, we're told the problem is 'illegal foreigners'. It's a dangerous misdirection and it's costing lives. Instead of directing our rightful anger towards dysfunctional municipalities and inept leadership, we're encouraged sometimes by officials themselves to lash out at those even more vulnerable than us. It's easier to point fingers at desperate migrants in clinic queues than to question how our cities became places of neglect. Nowhere is this more evident than in the deeply troubling scenes unfolding outside public healthcare facilities across South Africa. Foreign nationals or those merely suspected of being foreign are being chased away, blocked from entering clinics and denied their constitutional rights. These acts aren't just inhumane; they are illegal. Let's be clear, section 27 of the South African Constitution guarantees everyone – yes, everyone – the right to access healthcare services. This includes migrants, asylum seekers and undocumented persons. It is not a matter of opinion. It is the law. And here's the part too many people overlook: having all people healthy within our borders is a public good. Allowing anyone, regardless of nationality, to suffer from untreated TB, measles or HIV does not just threaten their health, it endangers ours. Public health doesn't discriminate, and neither should we. What makes this even more dangerous is the recent targeting of human rights organisations like the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (Seri), Helen Suzman Foundation and the South African Human Rights Commission by xenophobic movements like Operation Dudula. These organisations grounded in constitutionalism and justice have dared to remind us that we are a country governed by laws, not mob sentiment. In the face of these attacks, Abahlali baseMjondolo showed us what real solidarity looks like. Their decision to form a human chain outside Seri's offices, physically defending the space and its staff, was an act of profound courage. It reminded us that human rights are not abstract principles, they must be defended in action, in public and with conviction. This is not just about foreign nationals. This is about the soul of our democracy. If we allow attacks on human rights defenders and on organisations like Seri to go unanswered, we set the stage for broader repression. Today it's them. Tomorrow it's all of us. We must stand up, speak out and defend what is right. Human rights are not a suggestion. They are the foundation of our Constitution. They are the promise of 1994. And they are under threat. Operation Dudula together with March and March are attacking our democratic values, our hard-won freedoms and the rule of law. If groups like Seri, Helen Suzman Foundation and the South African Human Rights Commission are silenced, who will speak up when your rights are next in line? We must not allow anger to be weaponised against the wrong people. It is time to ask better questions. Why are our clinics underresourced in the first place? Why are there not enough trained healthcare workers? Why is the housing backlog growing year after year? And why are we not holding local councillors and officials to account for this? Foreign nationals didn't fail to maintain your community's water infrastructure. They didn't loot public funds meant for housing and healthcare. They didn't shut down your clinic or redirect its budget. That was your government. South Africa is at a crossroads and we can continue being played, turning on each other in frustration. We must start organising, demanding better services, transparent leadership and a government that serves everyone who lives here.
Daily Express
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
Malaysia reaffirms legal approach, rejects aggression in maritime border issues with Indonesia
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: JAKARTA: Malaysia has never adopted an aggressive stance in addressing maritime border issues with Indonesia, including the long-standing Ambalat dispute in the Sulawesi Sea, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. At a dialogue with the Association of Malaysian Indonesian Journalists (Iswami) and chief editors of major Indonesian media outlets here today, Anwar stressed that Malaysia remains committed to legal frameworks and diplomatic negotiations. 'With regard to the Ambalat issue (in the Sulawesi Sea), we follow the legal path. We do not take an aggressive stance. Both sides must avoid encroaching into each other's territory,' he said. Anwar, currently on a working visit to Indonesia, is accompanied by federal and state leaders, including Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, whose presence, he said, is meant to facilitate discussions with Indonesia, particularly on matters involving East Malaysia. Also present at the meeting were Iswami Malaysia president Ashwad Ismail, Iswami Indonesia president Asro Kamal Rokan, Iswami Malaysia deputy president Datuk Ahmad Zaini Kamaruzzaman, and Indonesia Chief Editors Forum (Forum Pemred) representative Taufiq Rahman. The Ambalat dispute involving overlapping maritime claims in the Sulawesi Sea between East Kalimantan (Indonesia) and southeastern Sabah (Malaysia) has persisted since Malaysia published a map of its maritime boundaries in 1979. Tensions peaked in 2005, prompting the formation of Iswami, a bilateral media initiative composed of top editors from both nations, to help promote constructive narratives and reduce friction over sensitive bilateral issues. According to a written reply dated July 22 on the Malaysian Parliament portal, Malaysia's Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) maintains that the ND6 and ND7 oil exploration blocks, which are part of the area Indonesia refers to as 'Ambang Batas Laut' or 'Ambalat', fall within Malaysian sovereign territory under international law. The ministry said Malaysia's stance is rooted in international legal principles, including the 2002 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning nearby territorial disputes. 'In this regard, the reference to 'Ambalat' for parts of the blocks is inaccurate and misleading. Therefore, the correct term for the area in question, in line with Malaysia's position, is the Sulawesi Sea,' the ministry said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Anwar arrives in Jakarta for annual consultation with Prabowo
Anwar landed at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta at 7.40pm on Monday (July 28). – Bernama JAKARTA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived here to attend the 13th Annual Consultation with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The special plane carrying the Prime Minister landed at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta at 7.40pm on Monday (July 28) and he was welcomed upon his arrival by Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, Indonesian Home Minister Tito Karnavian and Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin. The meeting between the two leaders will take place at Istana Merdeka, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (July 29) morning. The last such consultation between the two countries were held in Kuching, Sarawak on Nov 22, 2017. This session will explore new areas of cooperation and serve as a platform for the two leaders to exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest. Earlier in a media briefing, Syed Mohamad Hasrin said the annual consultations are the highest bilateral mechanism between Malaysia and Indonesia, which aims to strengthen strategic and comprehensive cooperation. During the visit, Anwar is also scheduled to visit the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta at the invitation of Asean Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn and he will deliver a policy speech on Asean in the context of Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship in 2025. – Bernama
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
MyDigital ID rollout must prioritise trust over compulsion, says think tank
PETALING JAYA: The government must prioritise public trust and voluntary participation over compulsion in implementing the MyDigital ID platform, says a policy think tank amid growing national debate on the digital identity system. Social and Economic Research Initiative (Seri) chairman Dr Helmy Haja Mydin said while MyDigital ID can be transformative for service delivery and governance, rushing into legislation to mandate adoption could backfire before gaining public confidence. "We must never lose sight of the fact that the rakyat's trust is earned, not assumed. Digital identity systems can bring enormous benefits, but only if people believe they are safe, effective, and in their interest. "Compulsion before confidence risks undermining the very system we are trying to build," he said in a statement on Saturday (July 26). Helmy Haja's comments came after the Dewan Rakyat was informed that the government is considering new legislation to accelerate MyDigital ID uptake. Currently, only 2.8 million Malaysians are registered, which is modest relative to the population. He added that other countries have achieved high adoption without legal mandates, largely by offering clear, everyday benefits through user-friendly platforms. Helmy Haja cited India's Aadhaar system, which gained traction because key government services and financial aid were channelled through it, not because it was mandatory. He added that Estonia and Singapore show that with thoughtful implementation, digital ID systems can flourish without mandates, by making them secure, convenient, and visibly beneficial. "Let the rakyat see how MyDigital ID simplifies life, whether it is for accessing subsidies, paying taxes, or interacting with banks. "When digital identity is seen as helpful, people will come on board without being forced," he said. Helmy Haja suggested that to build trust, the platform's purpose must be better communicated, as many Malaysians still do not fully understand how MyDigital ID works or what it offers. He noted that although MyDigital ID has begun integration with certain platforms like MyJPJ and MyBorderPass, broader usage across the digital government ecosystem remains patchy. "For real momentum, MyDigital ID must become a seamless key to unlocking public services, whether it is applying for university admission, accessing financial assistance, or filing taxes," he added. Helmy Haja also said that poor execution could severely damage public trust. He cited the Padu (Pangkalan Data Utama) platform as a cautionary tale, noting that issues with data accuracy, system usability, and inter-agency coordination had hurt its credibility despite high initial expectations. "Every failed or rushed rollout comes at a cost, not just in terms of wasted resources, but in eroding the very trust we need for future reforms to succeed," he said. Helmy Haja added the Home Ministry, which already issues MyKad, could be empowered to oversee MyDigital ID given its central role in identity governance that could help improve security, coordination, and user confidence. He said as Malaysia moves towards a digital-first government, Seri stressed that the goal should not be mass enrolment "at all costs" but rather the creation of a system that people choose to use. Helmy Haja outlined seven key recommendations; avoid premature legislation mandating registration, invest in public awareness and education on the benefits and safeguards of MyDigital ID, ensure system reliability and resilience, integrate meaningful services such as healthcare, education, taxes, and financial aid, enhance inter-ministerial system interoperability, provide opt-outs for non-essential services, and collaborate with civil society and grassroots networks to improve digital literacy and inclusion. He added Malaysia has the opportunity to become a leader in responsible digital governance but reminded that it must be done with care.
