Latest news with #UniversitiMalayaPublicHealthCampaign
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Press freedom progress encouraging, but key issues remain
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's climb to 19th place in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index marks encouraging progress, but there are still many challenges affecting the media industry that must be addressed, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said. The Communications Minister said the government's goal is not merely to see the country's ranking improve but to ensure that all aspects of press freedom are strengthened and continuously improved. "Our goal is not just to see Malaysia's position in media freedom indices improve. "But I recognise that our media colleagues are facing many challenges that need to be addressed urgently. "These include issues such as employment, welfare, and concerns about the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Will AI replace journalists? This is a significant issue we are facing. "This report allows us to reflect and redouble our efforts to advocate for the welfare of our media practitioners," he told reporters after launching the Universiti Malaya Public Health Campaign today. On the proposal from the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJM) to collaborate on establishing ethical guidelines for AI usage, Fahmi said he would make time to meet with the union's representatives this week. He added that in addition to NUJM, his ministry would also arrange meetings with journalist associations and the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI). "We do need guidelines and understanding so that we can benefit from AI and not fall victim to misinformation or the misuse of AI, especially in the media," he said. Yesterday, NUJM expressed concern about the increasing use of AI technology in the journalism industry, which brings both potential benefits and risks. The union's secretary-general, Teh Athira Mohamed Yusof, said NUJM is ready to collaborate with the Malaysian Media Council, which was established by the government, to develop ethical guidelines on AI usage.
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
No decision yet on WFH, online learning arrangement during Asean Summit
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet is still weighing the proposal for a work-from-home (WFH) arrangement for civil servants and private sector employees during the Asean Summit scheduled to take place this month and October. Unity government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the matter was discussed at the Cabinet meeting two weeks ago, but no decision has been made. He said the Asean Secretariat, based at Wisma Putra, is currently reviewing the matter before a final decision is made by the government. "Yes, we discussed it two weeks ago, but no decision has been made yet. I believe the Asean Secretariat at Wisma Putra is still reviewing it. "This issue mainly concerns those working in or around the locations where the Asean Summit and several major meetings will take place. "According to the current calendar, the summit is expected to be held at the end of May," he told reporters after launching the Universiti Malaya Public Health Campaign here today. Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, said the Cabinet is expected to discuss again the proposal at this week's or next week's meeting. "I believe at the upcoming Cabinet meeting, either this week or the next, we will have additional input. "(And) when it comes to education, we can refer to the Education Minister, and for civil servants, we can consult the Public Service Department. "But at the Cabinet level, we are still reviewing the matter and there are no further announcements at this point," he said. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, on April 17, had said that a proposal for WFH and home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) arrangements during the Asean Summits would be brought to the Cabinet. He said the proposal was made following the difficulties and constraints faced by the public, particularly in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, due to road closures during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia. Following that, the Education Ministry had announced on April 21 that it was prepared to implement PdPR during the Summits to help ease traffic congestion. Its minister Fadhlina Sidek had said that the ministry was in the process of identifying schools that would be involved in the implementation.
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
No decision yet on WFH, online learning arrangement during Asean Summits
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet is still weighing the proposal for a work-from-home (WFH) arrangement for civil servants and private sector employees during the Asean Summit scheduled to take place this month and October. Unity government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the matter was discussed at the Cabinet meeting two weeks ago, but no decision has been made. He said the Asean Secretariat, based at Wisma Putra, is currently reviewing the matter before a final decision is made by the government. "Yes, we discussed it two weeks ago, but no decision has been made yet. I believe the Asean Secretariat at Wisma Putra is still reviewing it. "This issue mainly concerns those working in or around the locations where the Asean Summit and several major meetings will take place. "According to the current calendar, the summit is expected to be held at the end of May," he told reporters after launching the Universiti Malaya Public Health Campaign here today. Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, said the Cabinet is expected to discuss again the proposal at this week's or next week's meeting. "I believe at the upcoming Cabinet meeting, either this week or the next, we will have additional input. "(And) when it comes to education, we can refer to the Education Minister, and for civil servants, we can consult the Public Service Department. "But at the Cabinet level, we are still reviewing the matter and there are no further announcements at this point," he said. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, on April 17, had said that a proposal for WFH and home-based teaching and learning (PdPR) arrangements during the Asean Summits would be brought to the Cabinet. He said the proposal was made following the difficulties and constraints faced by the public, particularly in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, due to road closures during the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Malaysia. Following that, the Education Ministry had announced on April 21 that it was prepared to implement PdPR during the Summits to help ease traffic congestion. Its minister Fadhlina Sidek had said that the ministry was in the process of identifying schools that would be involved in the implementation.
