Latest news with #PPN
Barnama
30-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Pharma Industry Emerging As Driver Of Investments, Jobs, And Healthcare Resilience -- MPC
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's pharmaceutical industry is emerging as a driver of high-value investment, skilled employment, and healthcare resilience, driven by regulatory and productivity reforms implemented in recent years, according to the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC). MPC said these efforts have also supported Malaysia's climb to 23rd place in the 2025 International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking, the country's highest position in over a decade. 'Under the MPC, the Pharmaceutical Productivity Nexus (PPN) has driven structural changes that translate directly into economic value by streamlining product registration processes, aligning technical requirements across agencies, and reducing regulatory bottlenecks,' it said in a statement today. According to the MPC, two new pharmaceutical facilities have progressed to the development stage, unlocking investments and creating skilled employment opportunities, while two additional facilities are moving forward more rapidly under the streamlined processes. MPC director general Datuk Zahid Ismail said the sector's transformation provides a blueprint for national economic renewal. 'Every bottleneck removed is an opportunity unlocked, whether it's faster factory approvals, increased export readiness, or local production of critical medicines,' he added. The president of the Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries (MOPI) and PPN representative, Ch'ng Kien Peng, said the pharmaceutical sector's gains reflect what is possible when productivity reforms are targeted, data-driven, and collaborative. 'These wins go beyond industry metrics. They mean better access to affordable medicines, more quality jobs for Malaysians, and increased resilience in our healthcare supply chain,' he said. The MPC also stated that the sector's progress aligns with the objectives of the 12th Malaysia Plan, the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, and the National Energy Transition Roadmap by supporting economic growth and localised production of essential medicines while integrating environmental sustainability practices in facility operations. It added that continued investment in automation, digitalisation, and skills development by industry players will help sustain these gains, while support from the government in advancing mutual recognition agreements and inter-agency frameworks remains important to maintain momentum in the sector. --BERNAMA
New Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia no longer just competing but leading: Industry chief
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's rise in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2025 reflects the tangible outcomes of strategic and productivity-driven reforms, with the pharmaceutical sector emerging as a standout contributor to the success. Pharmaceutical Productivity Nexus (PPN) champion and Malaysian Organisation of Pharmaceutical Industries president Ch'ng Kien Peng said Malaysia is no longer just competing but leading. Ch'ng said the pharmaceutical sector's gains reflect what is possible when productivity reforms are targeted, data-driven and collaborative. "These wins go beyond industry metrics; they mean better access to affordable medicines, more quality jobs for Malaysians, and increased resilience in our healthcare supply chain," he said in a statement. Under Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), the PPN has driven structural changes that translate directly into economic value. These include streamlining product registration processes, aligning technical requirements across agencies and reducing regulatory bottlenecks. As a result, the corporation said two new pharmaceutical facilities have successfully moved to development, unlocking millions in investment and new job opportunities. "Two additional facilities are progressing more rapidly, thanks to reduced duplication and stronger agency coordination. "Approval timelines have been shortened, giving Malaysian firms a competitive edge in time-to-market," it said. MPC director general Datuk Zahid Ismail said the sector's transformation offers a blueprint for national economic renewal. "Every bottleneck removed is an opportunity unlocked whether it's faster factory approvals, increased export readiness, or local production of critical medicines. "This is productivity with purpose, and its effects are measurable," said Zahid. To sustain and scale these results, MPC urged the industry to continue investing in automation, digitalisation and skills development. In addition, the government should accelerate mutual recognition agreements, innovation incentives and seamless inter-agency frameworks, it said.
![#NSTviral: Royally-honoured security guard Yogeswary goes viral again for kindness at Ipoh hospital [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F01viral190625sp_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1750294822.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
19-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
#NSTviral: Royally-honoured security guard Yogeswary goes viral again for kindness at Ipoh hospital [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: R. Yogeswary, fondly known to the public as 'Auntie Yoges,' a beloved security guard at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh, has once again captured the hearts of Malaysians after a video showing her helping a patient went viral. Posted by user @budakwheelchair, the TikTok video begins with him circling the hospital car park seven times before stopping near the lobby. The caption asks, "Do Ipoh people know Auntie Yoges?" The security guard spoke to him through his car window. "What did Auntie say? One round, then wait for me, right? Why are you so stubborn?" The TikTok user responds in jest, "I tried looking for parking somewhere else first. Is there any parking, Auntie? I feel like making you go viral again." To this, she laughed. "Don't make me go viral again. Just pray for Auntie." The moment takes a more moving turn when the user, who is paraplegic, handed her his phone. It then showed him exiting the car and transferring himself into a wheelchair without assistance. Auntie Yoges, still by his side, offered a heartfelt prayer. "May everything go smoothly for my dear. May you be blessed with good health and strength. May your journey be a truly good one. You're the best, dear. Auntie really respects you." Yogeswary previously made national headlines in 2023 for her compassion and tireless service, which earned her the Pingat Pangkuan Negara (PPN) from the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. In the new video, she is seen in uniform, proudly wearing the ribbon representing the prestigious honour. Many commenters were quick to recognise her and praise her continued kindness, to which Yogeswary replied with warm gratefulness in the comments. "I received this medal because of all of you… auntie will always give good service, dik (dear)," she wrote. Netizens flooded the video with warm recollections. "(Yogeswary) knows everyone well. She calls everyone younger than her 'adik', all the kids 'anak', all the older folks 'mak' or 'abah'. Some she even calls 'sayang'. This auntie has such lovely manners," wrote @ "The first time I met Aunty Yoges was while caring for my late mother... She comforted the patients' family members waiting outside the Emergency Department," said MrsAdy7083. "Sometimes, my father goes for chemotherapy just to see her. She walks him all the way to the haematology clinic," another commenter, @najjjj, shared. "When I was about to give birth for the first time... she held my arm and guided me all the way to the lobby. Thank you, auntie—your kindness will be repaid with more kindness," added user NIRy. Many others spoke of her continued acts of kindness: helping book rides, watching over children, and ensuring there is always parking when needed.
The Star
15-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia's food supply not impacted by confict in Iran, says Mat Sabu
BERUAS: Malaysia is not heavily dependent on food imports from Iran, and as such, the situation does not impact the country's food supply, says Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. He explained that Malaysia's food import requirements from Iran are limited to dates and legume products, which are not among the country's primary food commodities. "Most of our food imports from Iran are not high. Most of our imports are from India, Pakistan, the Middle East, China and Asean countries," he told a press conference after visiting the Perak State Farmers' Organisation (PPN) cattle rearing project at PPN Perak Kampung Tengah here on Sunday (June 15). Meanwhile, when asked about the impact of the current hot weather on padi crops, Mohamad said that so far, 60% of the country's padi production remains unaffected. However, he said, adjustments to the padi planting schedule may be necessary based on discussions with the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) and the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada). "Sometimes we need to change the (planting) schedule a little and so on, depending on weather conditions and suitability," he said. Regarding Sunday's visit, Mohamad said the ministry would assist the livestock farm, which currently houses about 500 animals, in building a slaughterhouse to help increase the farm's productivity. "We have set a target to achieve a meat self-sufficiency level (SSL) of more than 30 per cent by 2030, compared to 20 per cent currently. With the developments we are seeing now, we are confident of reaching the goal," he said. - Bernama
The Star
12-06-2025
- General
- The Star
Tales of success from PJ hostel
(From left) Ravindran, Prof Agamutu and Marimuthu at the book launch at Royal Lake Club. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star A FORMER resident of a hostel called PP Narayanan (PPN) has chronicled the stories of students and staff in a book, The Legacy of PPN Students' Hostel. The hostel, established in 1965 by the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW), was once a second home to generations of students. It provided a home for students, primarily children of estate workers, who secured admission to Universiti Malaya (UM) or nearby institutions of higher education in Kuala Lumpur. The author Ravindran Raghavan, who is a business consultant, said he was inspired by the stories of fellow former hostel residents he met during a PPN reunion. 'It was truly amazing to witness the heights that these people had climbed to from where they were,' Ravindran said during the book launch held at Royal Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur. 'I instantly knew then that I had to somehow capture all of this success,' he added. Educationist and former UM lecturer Tan Sri Dr T. Marimuthu also echoed Ravindran's sentiment. 'The hostel was a sanctuary for people from various backgrounds, but it was also a refuge for students who didn't know where to go. 'It was a welcoming community,' said the former deputy agriculture minister who also served as the hostel's management committee vice-chairman in 1972. After 30 years of serving the community, the hostel which was located in Jalan Barat in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, officially closed its doors in 1996 due to lack of funds. Prof Datuk Dr P. Agamutu, who was also a former resident at the hostel, said the building had since been demolished and a condominium now stands in its place. Despite this, he said the former residents shared a strong bond. 'You can remove us from PPN, but you can't remove PPN from us,' added the academic from Sunway University's Jeffrey Sachs Centre on Sustainable Development.
