TMR

by NURNABIHAH DINI 

THE Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM) is positioning itself to play a larger role in shaping future-ready leadership in Malaysia and Asean as businesses grapple with rapid technological disruption and changing workforce dynamics.

MIM president Datuk Yeoh Soo Min noted that leadership development would become increasingly critical as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes industries, jobs and organisational structures.

“Information is everywhere. But judgment, trust and leadership still have to be developed.

“Technology may accelerate work, but people still build trust, make decisions and carry organisations through change,” she said at MIM’s 60th anniversary press conference on May 21.

Yeoh said Malaysia had the opportunity to position itself not only as a regional investment and talent hub, but also as a centre for management and leadership development due to its understanding of Asean’s cultural and business complexities.

“Malaysia needs more than leadership formulas. We need global knowledge translated into local wisdom,” she said.

She added that leadership development must go beyond technical competencies and include cultural understanding, relationship-building and institutional trust.

“MIM’s next chapter is not about competing on scale. It is about leading through relevance,” she said.

Founded in 1966, MIM said it has trained more than one million professionals and supported over 5,000 organisations through executive education, certifications, conferences and leadership programmes.

CEO Kabenesh Eliathamby said one of MIM’s most significant contributions over the past six decades has been providing a platform for industry leaders to share management best practices with professionals across sectors.

“A lot of the industry captains today either are still or once upon a time were our students in MIM,” he said.

As part of its anniversary celebrations, MIM plans to organise a series of conferences featuring regional and international experts, launch a commemorative anniversary book, and expand its leadership certification programmes.

Among its recent initiatives was Asia’s Human Capital Alignment Conference, which gathered business leaders and diplomats to discuss organisational resilience, collaboration and emerging workforce challenges.

Yeoh also announced that MIM will host its 60th Anniversary Royal Gala Dinner on Aug 8 at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, with an expected attendance of about 700 guests comprising corporate leaders, government representatives, diplomats, academics and business community members.

The event will be graced by the presence of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the Sultan of Selangor and Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tengku Permaisuri Hajah Norashikin, the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor as Royal Guests of Honour.

“Their Royal Highnesses’ gracious presence reminds us that leadership development is not only a professional priority. It is a national responsibility,” Yeoh said.

She added that MIM aims to remain a platform where younger and senior leaders can learn from one another as Malaysia navigates economic and technological transformation.

“Learning becomes stronger when generations learn from each other,” she said.

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PUTRAJAYA — Every decision regarding the Penang Mutiara Line LRT project is made based on careful technical, legal and fiscal considerations to ensure that the people of the state have access to the public transport system.

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) in a statement today announced that the decision to use the Single-Sourcing Request for Proposal (RFP) mechanism for the procurement of the first package contract of the project is to avoid contractual disputes in terms of law.

“To understand why the RFP method is used, it is necessary to first understand the full history of this project. This project was originally a Penang State Government project under the Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP).

“The financing model is through the proceeds of land sales from three islands to be reclaimed in southern Penang, known as the Penang South Islands Project (PSI),” the statement said.

To implement PTMP, MOT announced that the State Government appointed SRS Consortium Sdn Bhd as the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) through an open tender in August 2015 

In March 2024, the Federal Government agreed to finance and fully take over the Mutiara Line LRT from the State Government on the condition that the reclamation project be limited to one island only, following Cabinet approval, with MRT Corp appointed as the developer and asset owner of the project.

“When the Federal Government took over, it had no direct contractual obligations with SRS Consortium, as the original obligations were between the State Government and SRS Consortium,” the statement said.

In addition, MOT announced that SRS Consortium had been involved in this project since the early stages and had in-depth institutional and technical knowledge related to track alignment, engineering studies, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approvals, Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and Railway Schemes — all funded by SRS Consortium itself.

“This continuity is an important consideration to expedite the implementation of this critical public infrastructure project

“As a result of the project transition from state to federal, the decision to use this single-source mechanism was made following the request of the Penang State Government, to avoid legal contractual disputes, as SRS Consortium was appointed as the PDP for PTMP through an open tender by the State Government in 2015,” according to MOT. 

This Single-Sourcing RFP mechanism is different from direct negotiations which do not involve any prior competitive process.

“Although the Single-Sourcing RFP method was used, this does not mean that the contract was awarded without careful review.

“After being appointed as the Developer and Asset Owner of the project, MRT Corp conducted a detailed engineering assessment and infrastructure study to refine the rail alignment, scope of work, and reassess the latest project cost estimates,” the statement said.

As part of this process, MOT informed that MRT Corp also obtained independent cost assessments from two separate quantity surveyors.

“Following the Cabinet Decision in March 2024, the contract procurement negotiation process commenced in April 2024 and lasted for approximately eight months. During this period, MRT Corp has already conducted a comprehensive commercial, technical, and cost assessment to ensure that the project achieves optimal value.

“Furthermore, the contract was also subject to a Value Management Exercise in April 2025 as part of ongoing cost optimization measures. This resulted in a final contract value of RM7.93 billion,” the statement said.

For the second and third packages of the project, an open tender process is mandatory, reflecting the government’s commitment to transparency and healthy competition in public procurement. — BERNAMA

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KUCHING — Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas today officiated the soft opening of Batang Lupar Bridge No.1, in Sebuyau.

The Sarawak Public Works Department (JKR) said the bridge is one of Sarawak’s most iconic infrastructure projects and is the longest river-crossing bridge in Malaysia.

“The project involves the construction of a 4.8 kilometre two-lane single carriageway bridge. The project carries a contract sum of RM848,745,087.50 and connects Sebuyau and Triso, providing a safer, faster and uninterrupted transportation link for surrounding communities along the coastal corridor,” the department said in a statement today.

The completion of the bridge is expected to significantly reduce travel time, improve logistics and transportation efficiency, and open up greater opportunities for economic, agricultural and tourism development between Sebuyau, Triso and the surrounding areas, it added.

In his remarks during the soft opening ceremony today, Uggah highlighted that the bridge symbolises Sarawak’s continuous commitment towards strengthening connectivity, stimulating socio-economic growth and improving accessibility for the people, particularly in the coastal regions. — BERNAMA

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​KUALA LUMPUR — The Social Security Organisation’s (PERKESO) regularisation programme, which runs until June 22, offers new employers the opportunity to register and make voluntary contributions for their employees without facing legal action.

PERKESO Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said employers who come forward during the period would not be subject to compounds, prosecution, or interest on late payment of contributions (FCLB).

He said employers should seize the opportunity during the one-month period, as PERKESO’s latest findings showed that the non-compliance rate among employers stood at about 26 per cent.

“According to statistics up to April, there were 915,616 registered and active employers, but only 74 per cent, or 677,556 employers, contributed for their employees.

“This indicates that employer non-compliance stands at around 26 per cent, or 238,060 employers,” he said in a statement here today.

Mohammed Azman further said that records from Ops Kesan Kebangsaan showed that the percentage of workers not contributing to PERKESO remained between 19 and 21 per cent each year.

He said that some employers remained stubborn and negligent in fulfilling workers’ rights, despite PERKESO contributions being statutory deductions under the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 (Act 4).

On the protection of foreign workers, Mohammed Azman said that records from 2019 to date showed that a total of 495,380 foreign workers were registered with PERKESO, but no contributions had been made for them.

The five main localities found to have employed foreign workers without contribution records were Selangor (37 per cent), followed by Kuala Lumpur (22 per cent), Johor (10 per cent), Sarawak (6 per cent) and Penang (4 per cent).

“In terms of sectors, construction was the highest at 21.4 per cent, followed by manufacturing (20.9 per cent), other services including maintenance of household goods, vehicles, musical instruments and sports (12.6 per cent), agriculture, forestry and fisheries (9.1 per cent) and retail (5.3 per cent),” he said. 

Mohammed Azman said that this year, PERKESO would also focus on enforcement in two new sectors, namely hawkers and gig workers, as they are required to make contributions in accordance with a previously gazetted government order.

“Our approach, however, remains a soft landing, taking into account the constraints of the current economic environment driven by global uncertainties,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said that 19,190 compound notices were issued, involving a total value of RM11.9 million, while 17,686 cases were prosecuted under Act 4 and the Employment Insurance System Act 2017 (Act 800) from 2020 to 2025.

Failure to comply with the obligation to register is an offence and may result in a compound of up to RM5,000, depending on the offence committed.

FCLB at a rate of six per cent per annum may also be imposed on employers, in addition to court action, which may result in a fine of up to RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to two years, or both. — BERNAMA

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by HDAYATH HISHAM

MALAYSIA is intensifying diplomatic efforts with Turkiye and several other countries to secure the release and safety of humanitarian flotilla activists detained by Israeli forces, including Malaysian participants.

Sumud Nusantara Command Center (SNCC) director-general Datuk Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim contacted him at 7.55am today (May 21) to assure the government was fully committed to the effort.

“He gave assurance of maximum commitment and is leading all efforts with the Malaysian government through close bilateral ties, and has been in close contact with Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to press for the immediate release of all abducted activists, ensure their safety and prevent them from being imprisoned at Ketziot Prison,” he said in a statement.

Sani said the intervention was aimed at securing the immediate release of all detained activists, ensuring their safety and preventing them from being transferred to Ketziot Prison.

He added that the diplomatic track had also widened through Wisma Putra, which was coordinating with Turkiye and other countries over the release of Malaysian participants in the humanitarian flotilla mission.

“Wisma Putra is intensifying diplomatic efforts with Turkiye and several other countries, including making preparations for embassy representatives in Istanbul, Amman and Cairo to ensure the safety and release of Malaysians involved in this humanitarian flotilla mission,” he said.

The latest update comes as SNCC said some detained activists were expected to be transferred to Ketziot Prison in Israel.

Its legal team, led by the Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (CENTHRA) in cooperation with Haifa-based Adalah, was already stationed at Ashdod Port, awaiting permission to meet the detainees.

Sani said the flotilla activists, including Malaysians, were in stable condition while awaiting access to legal representatives.

The command centre also said at least 87 detained activists had begun a hunger strike to protest against their detention and alleged mistreatment.

“SNCC confirms that at least 87 activists who are being abducted and detained at Ashdod Port have launched a large-scale hunger strike as a sign of protest against the illegal detention, inhumane treatment and human rights violations carried out by the Israeli regime against the humanitarian flotilla activists,” he said.

SNCC condemned the alleged mistreatment of unarmed humanitarian activists, saying such actions breached international humanitarian law, United Nations resolutions, the Geneva Conventions and provisions under the Rome Statute.

It also condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israeli forces for subjecting activists to physical violence, mental pressure and threats.

SNCC said the incident triggered international criticism, including statements and demonstrations in Italy, Turkiye, Spain, France, Belgium, Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, Australia and Portugal.

It urged Malaysians to continue solidarity efforts through prayers, diplomatic pressure and advocacy until all humanitarian delegates are released safely and the blockade on Gaza is fully ended.

The post Malaysia, Turkiye step up diplomatic push to free detained Sumud activists appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.

SEPANG — The Sumud Nusantara Command Center (SNCC) has strongly condemned alleged acts of violence, mental torture, and intimidation by Israeli extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israeli naval forces against unarmed humanitarian activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0.

SNCC director-general Datuk Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby (picture) said the reported actions violate international humanitarian law and United Nations resolutions.

He said such conduct also contravenes the Rome Statute, under which torture, assault or inhumane treatment of detainees constitutes a serious breach of the Geneva Conventions.

“These actions reveal the true face of an apartheid regime that continues to operate beyond the bounds of humanity,” he said at a press briefing on the latest developments involving the GSF 2.0 mission.

Earlier, a viral video posted online by Ben-Gvir reportedly showed detained activists with their hands tied and being forced to kneel after being intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters. 

Yesterday, SNCC said all 50 vessels of the GSF 2.0 flotilla carrying 428 activists from 40 countries had been intercepted about 80 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza.

Sani Araby said conflicting statements from Israeli leaders regarding Ben-Gvir’s actions indicate internal divisions within the Israeli administration.

“This is because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with the foreign minister and Israel’s ambassador to the United States, had described the actions as inconsistent with Israel’s values and reckless,” he said.

Sani Araby said SNCC had also received information, which was also published in colonial newspapers, that some of the kidnapped activists were expected to be transferred to Ketziot Prison, Israel, soon.

“Legal teams from the Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (CENTHRA), working with the Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights (ADALAH), were ready at Ashdod port, where detained activists, including Malaysians, are reportedly being held.

“It is also confirmed that the flotilla’s humanitarian activists, including Malaysians, are in stable condition and are awaiting permission to meet,” he said, adding that at least 87 detained activists had begun a large-scale hunger strike in protest against what they described as unlawful detention and mistreatment. — BERNAMA

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