TMR

A TOTAL of 3,021 nurses left Malaysia to work abroad last year.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the figure, based on Malaysian Nursing Board records, comprised 2,554 nurses (84.5%) from private healthcare facilities, 353 (11.7%) from Health Ministry institutions and 114 (3.8%) from other public healthcare providers.

“For ministry facilities, the migration rate was only 0.5%, measured against 70,234 filled nursing posts in 2024,” he said as quoted by an online portal.

Dzulkefly said the main factor was higher salaries overseas, further amplified by stronger foreign exchange rates against the ringgit in developed economies.

“In a democratic ecosystem, the ministry cannot restrict nurses from seeking opportunities in the private sector or abroad, nor can it block recruitment by private organisations or licensed foreign talent agencies,” he said.

To improve retention, Dzulkefly said the government has introduced several initiatives, including career progression schemes and salary adjustments under the Public Service Remuneration System.

This includes an 8% pay rise on Dec 1, 2024 and another 7% increase effective Jan 1, 2026. Newly appointed nurses now start at RM2,934 inclusive of allowances, with an annual increment of RM145.

He added that permanent appointments for Grade U5 nurses, replacing interim contracts, have been implemented to attract more graduates to join the ministry.

Nurses are also entitled to various allowances, including RM100 monthly for treating psychiatric, tuberculosis and leprosy patients and remote-area incentives ranging from RM135 to RM210 per month.

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THE Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (MAFS) is finalising the National Food Security Blueprint 2030 (BKMN 2030) as the National Food Security Policy Action Plan 2021-2025 concludes at the end of this year.

MAFS Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu (picture) said the ministry is also preparing the BKMN Action Plan 2026–2030, which will build on current efforts to strengthen food security through comprehensive policy planning and execution.

He said BKMN 2030 is aimed at transforming the national food system into one that is more efficient, resilient, sustainable and inclusive.

Its focus areas include advancing regenerative agriculture and circular economy models, enhancing resilience against vulnerabilities and shocks, and strengthening food diplomacy with regional partners.

“It also seeks to enhance market access and competitiveness while ensuring integrated food access and social safety nets for vulnerable groups,” he said as quoted by an online portal.

He said that of the 96 initiatives under the 2021–2025 plan, 58 (61%) had been completed, 35 (36%) were ongoing, while three (3%) had been discontinued.

Mohamad added that the Self-Sufficiency Ratio (SSR) improved across several agro-food commodities, including beef, buffalo meat, goat and sheep meat, fresh milk and fish.

Vegetables and fruits such as chilli, okra, long beans, aubergine and pineapple also recorded higher SSR levels.

An analysis of average prices between 2022 and 2023 showed declines in chilli, long beans, okra and aubergine, stable coconut prices, and slight increases for beef, buffalo meat, goat and sheep meat, pork, chicken, rice and egg.

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THE National Anti-corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024-2028 is not just a policy framework but a set of actions expected to deliver direct benefits to the people, said Malaysian Anti-corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki (picture).

He said every initiative under NACS will yield results for society, even if the impact may not be immediately felt in the short term.

The main challenge, however, is ensuring that all sub-strategies can be effectively implemented on the ground.

Citing an example, he said the Home Ministry introduced the Border Control and Protection Agency Act in October 2024 to strengthen border security. The law, he noted, helps combat smuggling, protect national revenue and boost investor and tourist confidence.

NACS implementation has also expanded to the education sector, where anti-corruption elements are being introduced as early as pre-school through integrity modules, volunteer activities and awareness campaigns.

“Children are more receptive to learning through activities, including comics, digital tools and mascots like an ‘anti-corruption hero’, similar to approaches used successfully in Hong Kong,” he said as quoted by Utusan Malaysia.

He added that young people are key assets in shaping a corruption-free society, aligned with MACC’s vision of zero tolerance.

On the private sector, Azam said it has become a critical component in prevention efforts, especially where it intersects with public institutions. Companies are bound by Section 17A of the MACC Act 2009 and encouraged to adopt the Anti-Bribery Management System (ABMS) MS ISO 37001.

MACC’s focus also remains on 1.4 million civil servants and government-linked companies (GLCs) that manage billions of ringgit annually. 

Incentives, including tax deductions, are available for companies and individuals who join anti-corruption programmes, alongside rewards for whistleblowers.

So far, 16 sub-strategies have been carried out by 11 ministries and agencies, including five completed in 2024 since the initiative was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last year. 

Progress is tracked through two dashboards — r-NACS for inter-agency monitoring and d-NACS for public viewing.

These measures, Azam said, aim to lift Malaysia’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) ranking into the top 25 globally by 2033.

He also underlined digitalisation as the most effective tool to curb corruption by improving service delivery and reducing human interference, often the root of abuse and leakages.

Big data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) are being explored to detect irregular spending patterns or suspicious project approvals. But Azam cautioned that technology must be paired with strict governance to prevent misuse.

The government has already issued AI Governance and Ethics Guidelines in September 2024 to ensure responsible, transparent and accountable use. 

Azam said any AI system used in public administration must undergo integrity risk assessments before adoption.

“AI must not replace humans, but instead serve as a tool to speed up administrative processes,” he  said.

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DILAPIDATED flats in the Klang Valley, many over 30 years old and plagued with safety and structural issues, are the main reason residents are throwing support behind the Urban Renewal Bill (URB).

They noted that the bill is crucial to restore safety standards and improve their quality of life.

The bill aims to provide a mechanism to upgrade, repair and modernise old housing areas, while enhancing comfort and security.

Taman Sri Indah Bukit Jalil residents’ chairman Rahimah Abdul Ghafor, 71, who has lived in her flat for more than three decades, said the community faces serious issues such as faulty wiring, leaking sewage pipes, broken roofs and drains and even snakes entering homes.

“We cannot wait any longer. These homes are deteriorating and elderly residents like us need safer, more suitable housing,” she said as quoted by Utusan Malaysia.

Another resident, S Vijayan, 65, said the bill offers middle-income families a chance for better living conditions. He noted his five-storey flat, where he has lived since 1983, has no lift, making it difficult for him to climb stairs due to a leg injury.

“I don’t understand why anyone would oppose it, when there is nothing to lose,” he said.

Nga confirmed the government will proceed with the bill’s second reading in the Dewan Rakyat.

He described opposition to the bill as politically motivated, stressing that its objective is to chart a sustainable, progressive, inclusive and prosperous urban development path.

“We want constructive politics and what matters is that the people are with us,” he said.

The government earlier announced it will table the second reading despite objections from opposition MPs.

First introduced on Aug 21, the bill is part of Putrajaya’s initiative to accelerate redevelopment of ageing urban areas.

Since December 2024, a total of 74 engagement sessions have been held with professionals, developers, joint management bodies (JMBs), state governments, universities and the public.

The bill sets an approval threshold of 80% for buildings under 30 years old, 75% for older buildings, and 51% for abandoned ones.

Separately, more than 100 individuals, including Perikatan Nasional (PN) supporters and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), gathered to submit a memorandum opposing the bill to both government and opposition lawmakers.

In its objection, PAS argued that the bill contains weaknesses and could pose long-term risks to social harmony and national unity.

Its deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man urged the government to halt and withdraw the bill immediately, saying the opposition is also supported by NGOs and individuals.

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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s Producer Price Index (PPI) recorded a slower decrease of 3.8 per cent in July 2025 from a 4.2 per cent decline in the previous month, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the decline in July 2025 was mainly attributed to the mining and manufacturing sectors, which have experienced a downward trend since the beginning of the year.

“The mining sector went down by 8.7 per cent (June 2025: -8.0 per cent), dragged down by the extraction of crude petroleum (-9.8 per cent) and the extraction of natural gas (-4.7 per cent) indices.

“Similarly, the manufacturing sector declined by 4.0 per cent (June 2025: -4.3 per cent) due to declines in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (-15.7 per cent) and the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products (-7.6 per cent) indices,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Uzir said the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector recorded an increase of 1.1 per cent (June 2025: -0.3 per cent), supported by the growing of perennial crops (3.1 per cent) index.

“While the electricity and gas supply sector went up by 4.0 per cent (June 2025: -0.2 per cent), the water supply sector posted a marginal decline of 0.1 per cent in July 2025,” he said.

On a month-on-month basis, Mohd Uzir said the PPI local production increased by 0.3 per cent in July 2025 after a 0.7 per cent decrease in the previous month.

“The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector increased by 2.5 per cent (June 2025: -1.0 per cent), contributed by the growing of perennial crops (4.6 per cent) index.

“The utility sectors, electricity and gas supply and water supply indices also went up by 3.4 per cent and 0.9 per cent, respectively,” he said.

However, Mohd Uzir said the mining sector remained unchanged in July 2025, after posting a 4.6 per cent increase in the previous month.

“The manufacturing sector, on the other hand, recorded a marginal decrease of 0.1 per cent (June 2025: -1.2 per cent), weighed down by manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products (-0.5 per cent) and manufacture of food products (-0.4 per cent),” he added.

Looking at selected countries, Malaysia’s chief statistician said the PPI showed mixed trends for July 2025, with the United States’ PPI increasing by 3.3 per cent, Japan experiencing a 2.6 per cent expansion, while China posted a 3.6 per cent decline and Thailand a 4.2 per cent contraction. — BERNAMA

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PUTRAJAYA — The magnitude 3.2 tremor that struck Segamat, Johor yesterday was caused by the reactivation of the Mersing Fault due to regional tectonic stress, according to the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia (JMG).

In a statement today, JMG said Malaysia lies on the relatively stable Sunda Plate but remains influenced by regional forces, particularly from the Sunda subduction zone off western Sumatra.

These pressures can reactivate existing faults in Peninsular Malaysia, triggering small to moderate earthquakes.

“Preliminary mapping placed the Segamat epicentre near the extension of the Mersing Fault, which trends west-northwest to east-southeast.

“Seismological analysis indicated a left-lateral strike-slip movement, with the northern block shifting west and the southern block moving east.” the statement read. 

JMG said the shallow depth of about 10 km confirmed the tremor was caused by continental crust movement, not volcanic activity or deep-sea subduction.

Peninsular Malaysia has previously recorded tremors in Bukit Tinggi (Pahang), Kenyir (Terengganu), Kuala Pilah (Negeri Sembilan) and Manjung–Temenggor (Perak). Johor also experienced minor quakes in 2021 and 2023 linked to seismic activity off Sumatra.

“These incidents, including the Segamat quake, show that the continental plate beneath Peninsular Malaysia still stores tectonic stress that may be released periodically,” the statement said.

As such, JMG stressed the need for continuous monitoring, updated fault mapping and early warning systems to improve preparedness and protect infrastructure.

Together with MetMalaysia under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), the department will step up monitoring and scientific analysis in at-risk areas, whether from local or regional seismic activity. — BERNAMA

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BUTTERWORTH — A Grade S41 government department director in Perlis pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court today to a charge of abusing her position by recommending her husband’s company for a programme eight years ago.

Hanita Ahmad, 57, was accused of abusing her position by recommending her husband’s company, Tegas Enterprise, to supply food and beverages worth RM3,840 for a 2017 Seberang Perai Utara Perdana scheme gathering through a purchase request.

The offence allegedly took place at a government department in Seberang Perai Utara on July 14.

She was charged under Section 23(1) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which carries a maximum imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the gratification, or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Noor Azura Zulkiflee proposed bail at RM10,000 with one surety, along with additional conditions requiring the accused to report to the nearest MACC office monthly and surrender her passport.

Hanita, who was unrepresented, appealed for a lower bail, citing financial constraints as she is supporting her family while her husband has been unemployed for a year.

Judge Zulhazmi Abdullah set bail at RM8,000 and allowed the prosecution’s conditions, fixing Sept 30 for case mention.

The MACC had earlier confirmed that the accused was detained at its Penang office on Tuesday while giving her statement over the alleged abuse of position in awarding the 2017 contract to her husband’s company. — BERNAMA

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