GALERI GAMBAR : MESYUARAT MAJLIS PEMBANGUNAN WILAYAH EKONOMI PANTAI TIMUR (ECERDC) BILANGAN 2 TAHUN 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 Okt (Bernama) — Transformasi perkhidmatan awam perlu mencakupi kecekapan perancangan pembangunan terutama dalam mencari pendekatan baharu terkait isu kelewatan pelaksanaan projek, kata Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Sehubungan itu, beliau berkata perlu ada penerokaan kaedah pelaksanaan projek yang baharu berbanding kaedah konvensional selari dengan isu, perubahan teknologi dan matlamat negara.

“Selain itu, satu inventori khusus perlu dibangunkan bagi mengenal pasti bangunan kosong di seluruh negara untuk membolehkan kerajaan mengoptimumkan penggunaan bangunan sedia ada dan mengurangkan pembinaan kompleks baharu pejabat kerajaan,” katanya menerusi hantaran di laman Facebook.

Perkara itu antara yang disentuh dalam Mesyuarat Majlis Tindakan Ekonomi Negara Bilangan 7 Tahun 2024 yang dipengerusikan Perdana Menteri hari ini.

Anwar berkata mesyuarat itu antara lain meneliti kertas pembentangan melibatkan penambahbaikan tatacara penilaian dan pelaksanaan perbelanjaan pembangunan bagi mendapatkan nilai terbaik kepada kerajaan.

— BERNAMA

KENYATAAN MEDIA

PEJABAT PERDANA MENTERI

PELANTIKAN DATO’ SRI MOHAMMED SHAZALLI RAMLY

 

Pejabat Perdana Menteri ingin memaklumkan pelantikan Dato’ Sri Mohammed Shazalli Ramly sebagai Penasihat Media & Komunikasi Strategik berkuatkuasa 14 Oktober 2024 bagi menggantikan Allahyarham Rozaid Rahman.

Beliau yang ketika ini berkhidmat sebagai Penasihat Media Khazanah Nasional Berhad akan turut memantau urusan media dan komunikasi YAB Perdana Menteri.

Beliau juga akan ditugaskan untuk menambahbaik pelaksanaan kempen Malaysia MADANI.

 

PEJABAT PERDANA MENTERI

15 Oktober 2024

KENYATAAN-MEDIA-PEJABAT-PERDANA-MENTERI-2.0Download

KUALA LUMPUR, 15 Okt (Bernama) — Mesyuarat Majlis Tindakan Sara Hidup Negara adalah platform untuk kerajaan meneliti permasalahan kos sara hidup rakyat, kata Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Beliau berkata mesyuarat berkenaan juga menjadi platform untuk kerajaan berbincang mengenai kaedah terbaik dalam meningkatkan kesejahteraan dan kebajikan rakyat.

“Dalam mesyuarat ini, saya tegaskan bahawa indikator ekonomi Malaysia yang menunjukkan prestasi memberangsangkan kebelakangan ini, hanya mampu dimaknai sekiranya ia diterjemah dalam kehidupan rakyat terbanyak.

“Dalam ruang yang sama, saya meminta Ketua Setiausaha Negara Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar memastikan tindakan segera diambil oleh kementerian dan agensi berkaitan setelah sesuatu keputusan dicapai,” katanya dalam catatan di Facebook hari ini.

Mesyuarat berkenaan dipengerusikan Anwar di Putrajaya, semalam.

Anwar yang juga Menteri Kewangan turut mengulangi gesaan kepada perkhidmatan awam supaya menekankan aspek kepantasan, ketelusan dan penjimatan bagi meningkatkan tatakelola dan mutu penyampaian perkhidmatan.

“Insya-Allah, Kerajaan MADANI akan memastikan semua dasar dan inisiatif yang direncana akan mengutamakan agenda kebajikan rakyat, bagi memastikan tiada kelompok yang tercicir daripada menikmati pembangunan dan kemakmuran negara,” katanya.

Mesyuarat berkenaan dihadiri Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Menteri Pelaburan, Perdagangan dan Industri Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Menteri Komunikasi Fahmi Fadzil dan Menteri Pertanian dan Keterjaminan Makanan Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.

Turut hadir, Menteri Pengangkutan Anthony Loke, Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Kos Sara Hidup Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Menteri Kesihatan Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad dan Menteri Belia dan Sukan Hannah Yeoh.

— BERNAMA

 

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY

 

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

 

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

 

 

37th LAWASIA CONFERENCE 2024

 

NAVIGATING THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE IN THE DIGITAL AGE

 

 

13 OCTOBER 2024 (SUNDAY) | 1.00 PM

 

HILTON HOTEL

KUALA LUMPUR

 

 

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh dan Salam Sejahtera

 

 

Yang Amat Arif Tun Tengku Maimun binti Tuan Mat,

Chief Justice, Federal Court of Malaysia;

 

Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said,

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms);

 

Yang Amat Arif Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abang Iskandar bin Abang Hashim,

President of the Court of Appeal of Malaysia;

 

Chief Justices and Heads of Delegation of the Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific;

 

Yang Berusaha Encik Shyam Divan,

President of LAWASIA;

 

Yang Berusaha Encik Mohamad Ezri bin Abdul Wahab, President of Malaysia Bar;

 

Distinguished Moderators, Speakers and Panellists;

 

Media Partners; and

 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

 

  1. Satu penghormatan kerana dapat bersama-sama dalam sidang penting Perundangan Asia dan saya ucap tahniah kepada Bar Council Malaysia dan Jawatankuasa kerana dapat menjalankan majlis ini dengan berjayanya.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

  1. Bringing together such a diverse and formidable assembly of legal minds from across Asia and the Pacific is no small feat, and it is indeed an honour to be among you.
  1. I would also like to acknowledge the presence of distinguished members of the Bench, not the least of whom, the holder of the country’s highest judicial office, YAA Chief Justice Tun Tengku Maimun.
  1. In my years of political office in government as well as out of government, I have said many things about lawyers and judges. And some of them have been highly critical.
  1. Nevertheless, one thing that I have consistently said and maintained is that while the rule of law must prevail, the independence of the judiciary must also remain paramount in upholding and administering justice without fear or favour.
  2. I need not cite the plethora of judicial precedents and authorities to reiterate my unwavering support for the imperative of judicial independence, which is subsumed under the doctrine of separation of powers. These are principles enshrined under the grund norm or the basic structure of the Federal Constitution.
  1. However, the lessons of history must not be forgotten. In the past, we have seen how this sacrosanct principle has been violated by the powers that be, working hand in glove with the highest judicial office, perverting the course of justice in order to serve nefarious and vile political ends.
  1. But let me firmly declare that enough is enough and that, that era is over and gone and that we will never allow such abuse and violations ever to happen again.

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

  1. The coming days offer us a timely platform to examine how our legal frameworks must evolve to address the unprecedented advancements in technology that are influencing every aspect of our lives.
  1. As we embrace the digital age, it is essential that we balance the winds of change with the wisdom of experience. In this regard, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. has famously said that “The life of the law has not been logic: it has been experience”.
  1. You will agree that in the experience department, I have had my fair share of being subjected to “the insolence of office,” the “law’s delay”, and gross abuse of power.
  1. These machinations have sent me from the halls of power to the labyrinths of incarceration! I do believe I have garnered sufficient credit hours to be admitted as an honorary member of the Bar. You know, I had this rare opportunity to be associated with great luminaries in the legal of profession and back and forth the courts, and I’m serious to be rightfully considered. Thank you.
  2. Judicial and legal reform must be reflected as the nation advances with the changing times for development and progress. We should neither be held hostage to the views and demands of the elite, nor succumb to the dictates of pressure groups serving the interests of the rich and powerful.
  1. And they have relevance to the issue raised by the various speakers on digitalization and AI. In my exchanges with the heads of NVIDIA, Microsoft and Google and others. As you know, placed Malaysia as one of the important hubs of AI and also hub for semiconductor. The one interesting question that I will not fail to ask is, is AI serving the cause of humanity or sector group or powers that be, particularly the industrialized rich countries. The answer is consistent from all these players.
  1. Number one, it depends on our capability to understand, appreciate and give the desired input. Because AI is devoid of faith and values, it will only serve and respond according to subject’s materials submitted to it. So, to answer the question raised by Yang Amat Arif being with respect on the issue of Strawberry, AI has been taught to spell as a according to the correct pronunciation. You pronounce strawberries only two “r”, so AI is correct. I’m not suggesting that Chief Justice is wrong. I would be in trouble that, but the context is must be well understood.
  1. And that question Chief Justice has raised eyebrows among linguists. How to proceed with AI in the context of AI being I mean having this so-called expertise in terms of language and grammar, they are grappling with it. Incidentally, I’ve just allocated some funds for our universities to look at the possibility of increasing the translation efforts in this country into Bahasa in other languages.
  1. And this issue was raised the most successful among developing emerging economics, of course, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in Abu Dhabi. So, there are issues, but which means the legal fraternity in the judiciary and the experts. We must reign indigenous talents to be able to appreciate the importance of this change and to give the desired inputs into the AI. Otherwise, the issues of justice or law or reform of understanding will be geared solely or not entirely according to the Western values and norms. And this may result in some problems.
  1. Many of the issues in law justice are universal, no doubt, but they issue concern in terms of in our values with Asian values or religious values, which must be considered. And I think that was duly reflected by the Chief Justice point about the capacity of finally the judges who adjudicate.

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

  1. Like skilled sailors navigating uncharted waters, we must guide our laws through the rapid tides of innovation while keeping the ship of justice steady. In this regard, the challenge is not simply to apply existing laws to new contexts but to proactively anticipate future developments, ensuring that our legal systems are adaptable and responsive.
  1. The legal profession plays a critical role in this evolution, working closely with policymakers and stakeholders to design frameworks that encourage innovation while safeguarding justice and equity. This is another major problem when we deal with digitalization AI because without clear intervention by the authorities, it will lead to further gap between the elites and the masses because invariably only the select few will have the capacity to master this new technology. And this principle must be accepted, and effort must be done by all government, ministries and the legal fraternity to ensure that this further democratize in terms of democratization of access to quality technology.
  1. This changing landscape requires us to rethink whether our laws are adequate to protect privacy, security, and public trust and even more importantly whether judicial decisions can serve the nation’s interests in the long run.
  1. Dura lex, sed lex e. though the law is harsh, it is still the law – so goes the maxim. But to my mind, equity and good conscience should prevail when it becomes clear that strict application of such a doctrine will lead to injustice.   
  1. In this vein, I strongly believe that our laws must be flexible yet robust, capable of safeguarding individual rights while promoting creativity and innovation. Further, there must be a balance between private rights on the one hand, and public and societal interests on the other.
  1. A legal system that is too rigid or a judgement that is made without due consideration of public policy repercussions will not only stifle progress, but risks eroding public trust and causing injustice. By way of comparison, in other jurisdictions, such as Shariah law, the doctrine of istihsan or equity, allows for juristic discretion when and if it serves the course of justice.
  1. In making this call, I do not, even for a moment, suggest that we let the law of chaos and uncertainty rule the roost but rather that striking the right balance is essential to ensuring that our judicial and legal system remains dynamic and robust.
  1. As Roscoe Pound, renowned for sociological jurisprudence, once said, “Law must be stable and yet it cannot stand still. Hence all thinking about law has struggled to reconcile the conflicting demands of the need of stability and the need of change.”
  1. In this regard, by way of example, many jurisdictions in advanced economies have moved with the times to balance between the freedom of contract and the demands of contractual justice. In many cases, contractual justice prevails. The broader context of applying such a principle is that it could well cut across adjudication in matters pertaining to the law of torts as well as trust and equity or even constitutional and administrative law.
  1. While lawyers are professionally bound to serve their clients to the best of their ability, it is crucial to let conscience be our guide, ensuring that fairness, truth, and the rule of law remain at the core of every decision. In other words, lawyers do have a higher calling and that is to uphold justice, which is a duty enjoined by the spirit of the law as well as by rich tradition.
  1. Whether in the Bar or on the Bench, the spirit of the law and the demands of justice must never be lost. As the saying goes, fiat justitia, ruat coelum– “let justice be done, though the heavens may fall.” A maxim, though common enough, yet it bears constant reminding.
  1. Presiding over cases, especially under immense pressure and while navigating sensitive issues, requires tremendous courage. And judges stand as the pillars of justice, upholding the law without fear or favour and remaining unflinching in the face of adverse popular opinion. Cynics will say: Leave that job to the politicians, for they are practitioners par excellence in playing to the gallery!
  1. Now, in all earnestness, I say this should not be so, even for politicians if they are indeed true to their calling, which is to serve the rakyat for the greater good of the nation.
  1. Many times, tough decisions have to be made but do we make them by succumbing to the dictates of political expediency in order to become popular, or do we take the bull by the horns? In this regard, as a responsible government, I took the unpopular course of action just last May by deciding to implement the diesel subsidy rationalisation plan. Certainly not popular but of utmost necessity.
  1. Rather than merely paying lip service while doing nothing because of the fear of being unpopular, as previous governments had done, we walked the talk to summon firm political courage to do what our moral dictates demand.
  1. In this vein, being committed to the highest standards of responsibility and accountability, and to social justice, we will continue to proceed boldly on the course of structural reforms. Not doing so would be dereliction of the moral duty of good and responsible governance.

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

  1. As digital trade continues to expand, it is crucial that we develop regulatory frameworks that facilitate cross-border data flows while ensuring robust protections for privacy and data security. In addressing these challenges, we must balance innovation with regulation, fostering consumer trust and supporting the legal recognition of electronic transactions in the global economy.
  1. I am proud to note that Malaysia has established a new Digital Ministry to lead our nation’s digital transformation efforts. The Malaysian Bar has been a proactive partner in this effort, offering its expertise in shaping the regulation of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. This partnership highlights how the legal profession can play a vital role in shaping Malaysia’s digital future.
  1. I look forward to recommendations on a comprehensive digital roadmap that will guide the legal sector’s progress and ensure its continued relevance in an increasingly digital world.
  1. Take into consideration issue of justice and equity and values. But that will guide the legal sectors progress and ensure its continued relevance in an increasingly digital world. Malaysia is advancing rapidly in digital transformation, gaining recognition as a hub for critical cutting-edge technologies in Southeast Asia. Additionally, he was engaged in multilateral dialogues to forge international agreements that foster economic growth while fortifying our legal institutions.
  1. Malaysia is advancing rapidly in the digital transformation, gaining recognition as a hub for critical, cutting-edge technologies in Southeast Asia. Additionally, we must engage in multilateral dialogues to forge international agreements that foster economic growth while fortifying our legal institutions.
  1. I call upon the esteemed members of the legal fraternity across Asia and the Pacific to harness our shared values and diverse perspectives as we work to address the cross-border legal challenges of the digital era.
  1. I’ve just return, as you know, from the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, where I met leaders from Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Modi and others, ASEAN and our neighbours, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Of course, we discussed, among others, issues of digitalization and challenges of AI. And we are fortunate, despite our strong views on the issues of humanitarian values of the hypocrisy and the contradiction between the achievement of Ukraine and Gaza and our strong rebuke against again issue of hypocrisy in allowing atrocities in Gaza. We still had very cordial meeting with Secretary Antony Blinken. And Malaysia remains very attractive destination for foreign investments, those China, India, but more so that’s the States of America.
  1. With that, I believe, is partly due to political stability and the trust in the judicial system and in efficient manner conducting the affairs of all government. Sekali lagi saya ucap terima kasih kepada Majlis Peguam, dan LAWASIA dan didoakan mudah-mudahan kejayaan besar dalam mencapai natijah yang bermanfaat bagi negara dan dunia.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabaratuh.

13-October-2024-PMs-Keynote-at-37th-LAWASIA-Conference-1

 

 

 

TEKS UCAPAN

 

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PERDANA MENTERI

 

 

SEMPENA

 

MESYUARAT AGUNG TAHUNAN KE-78

GABUNGAN DEWAN PERNIAGAAN DAN PERINDUSTRIAN CINA MALAYSIA (ACCCIM)

 

 

13 OKTOBER 2024 (AHAD) | 11.15 PAGI

 

ONE WORLD HOTEL

        PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR

 

Salam Sejahtera.

 

Terima kasih, Tan Sri Dato’ Low Kian Chuan dan Jawatankuasa atas kejayaan mesyuarat Agong Tahun Ini.

 

  1. Saya ucap terima kasih atas kesediaan rakan-rakan dan saya mendengar Datuk Ng dan juga Tan Sri Low bagi pandangan termasuk belanjawan, keputusannya 18 haribulan. Tapi terima kasih, ianya sangat bermakna kerana ACCCIM telah menjadi rakan dalam usaha kerajaan MADANI meningkatkan pelaburan, meningkat usaha dan ini saya nyatakan dengan penuh ikhlas bagi pihak rakan-rakan kabinet dan pimpinan. Pertama sudah lihat umpamanya ACCCIM Persidangan Usahawan Se-dunia yang merancakkan kehangatan pelabur-pelabur seluruh dunia bertumpu ke Malaysia dan program yang rakan-rakan atur itu sangat baik kerana memperkenalkan Malaysia, membincang soal ekonomi masa depan termasuk AI, Digital. Membawa tokoh-tokoh paling terkenal di dunia untuk membahas supaya dapat dihadam, difahami oleh rakan-rakan di sini. Kemudian mengajak mereka merantau ke kawasan negeri-negeri berdekatan supaya mereka kenal Malaysia dan tertarik melabur dalam negara ini.
  1. Kedua, saudara-saudara tahu bahawa saya baru pulang dari Laos, Vientiane untuk mengambil alih kepengerusian ASEAN untuk 2025. Tentunya kesempatan itu untuk berjumpa dengan beberapa pemimpin dunia. Bila bertemu Presiden Li Qian terus dia sebut tentang lawatan ke Malaysia, sambutan yang diberikan oleh rakan-rakan di sini termasuk anjuran makan tengah hari Tan Sri Low, terima kasih banyak dan dia sebut pada saya bagaimana dia merasa bahawa semangat rakyat yang bersahabat rapat dengan Malaysia dan dia minta saya hadir ke Shanghai dan Beijing bulan depan untuk menemui beliau dan Presiden Xi Jin Ping, masa itu saya ingat saya tidak akan hadir kerana lawatan APEC di Peru dan lawatan rasmi ke Mesir dan saya nak tumpu di sini, tapi bila dia sebut “Please come Prime Minister, because meeting with you will be a private meeting and Presiden Xi Jin Ping also want to meet you” saya nak kata “No” dah tak boleh dah tapi ni menunjukkan kehangatan persahabatan tapi ini penting padahal kita bersifat terbuka.
  1. Saudara tahu saya jumpa Secretary of United States, Anthony Blinken, saya ucapkan terima kasih kerana pelaburan daripada syarikat-syarikat digital, data center, AI yang besar tentunya kerana kejayaan Kerajaan, kerana MITI dan peranan-peranan kementerian dan Menteri-meneri kita yang lain. Tetapi dalam perbincangan itu beliau menyatakan “yes” Malaysia menjadi destinasi pelaburan dan tarikan yang penting dan dia sebut umpamanya beratus bilion pelaburan dari Amerika Syarikat ke Malaysia. Walaupun kita tahu pendirian saya dalam soal Gaza, dalam soal hubungan saya dengan negara China ataupun Vladivostok menemui Presiden Putin itu pendirian kita kerana Malaysia mahu maju berkawan dengan semua tetapi kita bebas, negara ini negara merdeka dan bebas dan kita membuat keputusan untuk berdagang dengan semua negara dan sebab itu kita bersahabat dengan semua tidak ada negara yang boleh arah kita dan ini saya rasa sebab apa?, sebab masyarakat kita dan negara kita pelbagai kaum pelbagai negara bersatu dan kita punya Kerajaan yang kuat hari ini, jadi saya ucap sekali lagi terima kasih kepada saudara.
  1. Saya jumpa juga dengan Perdana Menteri India, Australia, Kanada yang memberikan perhatian yang baik dan saya percaya akhir tahun ini dan mulai tahun depan Malaysia akan jadi perhatian dunia sebab itu peranan saudara-saudara dan saya minta ACCCIM dan Dewan Perniagaan Malaysia beri kerjasama sepenuh. Kita ada umpamanya bulan Mei persidangan ASEAN-GCC. Negara Arab pertama kali datang ke Asia, 6 negara utama Arab Saudi, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman dan Kuwait ada 6 negara akan ke sini ASEAN-GCC plus China kemudian akhir tahun kita ada pertemuan ASEAN-Amerika Syarikat, ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Korea, ASEAN-Jepun, ASEAN-Eropah, India, Australia, New zealand dan ini akan memberikan tumpuan, perhatian dan saya minta kerjasama saudara-saudara. Kerana tumpuan kita adalah diplomasi, orang hormat negara kita Malaysia tetapi utamanya ekonomi, perdagangan, pelaburan, perniagaan, peluang bagi rakyat Malaysia, peluang bagi syarikat Malaysia dan peluang bagi rakyat Malaysia. Sebab itu saya tekankan hal ini, kerana kejayaan ini bukan kejayaan Kerajaan semata-mata, jemaah menteri tetapi juga dengan penjawat awam dan sektor swasta umpamanya.
  1. Hari Jumaat kita ada Belanjawan jadi selalunya bila hari belanjawan pagi itu baru ada Mesyuarat Jemaah Menteri tapi setelah bincang dengan Menteri Luar, Menteri MITI, saya putuskan untuk buat mesyuarat khas pada hari Rabu dan saya mahu persiapan kita ke arah ASEAN ini tertumpu tentunya persiapan yang baik tetapi melibatkan seluruh jentera Kerajaan dan saya minta Ketua Setiausaha Negara sendiri pengerusikan technical committee di peringkat penjawat awam. Ini bukan silo tiap committee atau tiap kementerian ini seluruh jentera kita, kerana saudara-saudara tahu walaupun Tan Seri Low sebut dalam ucapan walaupun kita syukur, Ahamdulillah ada kejayaan ekonomi bertambah baik, ringgit lebih kukuh, pelaburan datang tapi harus kita berpuas hati jangan sebab kita ada kapasiti yang lebih baik banyak hal yang kita belum maju ini disebut tadi di antara lain latihan-latihan anak kita dalam kejuruteraan, dalam bidang digital, dan dalam bidang AI. Peluang perniagaan bukan saja di peringkat atas tapi PKS yang mikro sederhana kecil ini harus diberi perhatian, jadi ada beberapa cadangan tambahan akan saya teliti secara serius.
  1. Saya akan bermesyuarat petang nanti, malam dan esoknya juga untuk kita teliti dan saya akan tentunya beri perhatian kepada apa yang disuarakan oleh saudara-saudara tapi biasalah orang berniaga, tauke-tauke ini boleh saya gurau sikit. Kalau tanya dia, tanya Tan Sri William macam mana berniaga? dia kata “tak adalah, ada untung sikit saja”. Di Ipoh minggu sudah, 2 minggu sudah saya jumpa KLK jadi saya kata “You tolong dia organize syarikat kelapa sawit KLK, IOI, Genting, Sime Darby semua Top macam mana Tan Sri? Dia kata ada untung sikit saja”. Biasa saya orang Bukit Mertajam, Bukit Mertajam ni kita campur banyak bercakap hokkien ya semua sikit-sikit.
  1. Betul tetapi kita ada masalah juga kan? kita tahu kita hutang tinggi, bayar hutang jadi saya setuju dari segi dasar kalau kita cukai golongan terlalu kaya terlalu tinggi dia tidak akan tarik pelaburan dalam sekarang ini, umpamanya saya sebut ramai sudah peniaga-peniaga kita beruntung kerana ada pelaburan luar negara tetapi pelaburan dalam negara domestic investment itu sangat tinggi. Jadi kalau kita kata kita capai kejayaan yang baik tahun lalu tahun ini, ya, itu bukan sahaja pelaburan asing. We achieve impressive growth? not only or not solely due to foreign direct investments but a growing interest growing confidence, growing commitment by our domestic players, so domestic investment has increased phenomenally and for that I thank you very much. Of course, following that you say, if that is an impressive investment from domestic then I should not discourage you, I should then should not tax you to highly. But you want to proceed? make sure there is peace, there is order, there is panes, there is justice I must tax a little.
  1. Jadi ini saya nak tekankan ya kerana hal-hal yang dibangkitkan termasuk yang dianggap kontroversi inheritance tax, saya dengar dan saya akan teliti, kita tidak mahu buat apa-apa kenyataan yang merunsingkan. Tapi yang satu hal lain ialah tentang selain daripada perniagaan dan peluang-peluang dan SMEs ataupun PMKS itu akan diberikan tumpuan khas dalam belanjawan seperti juga dalam kerangka ekonomi MADANI. Kita juga akan pastikan kelemahan-kelemahan dalam pentadbiran, KSN yang baru kita lantik nampak berikan tekanan yang sangat kuat. Saya sendiri pantau kesihatan setiap kali memandang ke hospital tentulah 2 ke 3 kali sehari sekarang ini Azizah tidak sihat.
  1. Saya tanya pekerja dan juga tinggal di mana, sewa berapa bayar, ada rumah atau tidak, kemudian tanya jururawat gaji bagaimana, tinggal di mana, bagaimana persekolahan anak-anak. Jumpa satu syarikat yang buat permohonan pendaftaran, beberapa orang kena jumpa, berapa lama kena tunggu, berapa kos lesen. Jumpa pegawai bandar raya ada perubahan tidak, 2 tahun lalu dengan sekarang berapa orang kena berjumpa, beberapa jabatan kena jumpa sebelum mendapat lesen semua ini bila kita dengar belum memuaskan, walaupun ada perubahan masih ada kebocoran. Sebab itu saudara lihat umpamanya SPRM hampir saban hari tangkap kerana peristiwa rasuah itu ada, bila rasuah itu ada, kos perniagaan meningkat.
  1. Saudara pun tahu di Kuala Lumpur ada joke, ada lucu dia, kata plot ratio one means how much money have you repeat? you cannot continue to do this ya, sebab itu bila saya sebut tentang tatakelola, governance is not a small thing is not a political gimmick, because you want this country to succeed the governance, the efficiency of officers must follow and follow strictly. Their concern is where our salary one thousand eight hundred ringgit, how to survive? Fine, I do the maximum as you know, unprecedented why? I want to make sure that you are paid fairly, but if I find you continue the old ways and continue to be corrupt, we will do the maximum. We will go after you and will not ever forgive because we are doing.
  1. Ini yang disebut akta, iltizam kecekapan kerajaan, government efficiency. Komitmen dulu kita kata financial responsibility act kita lulus sekarang efficiency kalau tidak kata gaji naik dengan naik bukan sedikit, betul kadang kita fikir tak lah tinggi tetapi maksimum yang Kerajaan boleh mampu dalam keadaan sekarang. Ada dalam peringkat rendah junior clerk dia boleh naik sampai 35% tentunya yang paling tinggi dia naik rendahlah. Tetapi yang di bawah walaupun saya nak bagi tahu Chin Tong gaji dia tak naik tetapi potongan 20% akan diteruskan ya tetapi untuk penjawat awam, bila saya dengar dengan peniaga walaupun banyak yang ramai yang mengatakan kepada saya ada some improvement what you need to take month for registration.
  1. Bila saya lancar Program Perumahan MADANI baru-baru ini di Kuala Lumpur. Waktu untuk kelulusan selalunya di antara 8 bulan sampai 14 atau 16 bulan, itu standard. Saya kata bagaimana kalau syarikat itu berikan semua keterangan yang cukup, baik, yang lengkap semua. Kemudian dia kata sekurang-kurangnya 6 bulan. Bila saya tengok begitu saya kata tak, saya akan pergi rasmi dalam 50 hari lagi. Saya tengok 45 hari semua kelulusan boleh diberikan. Apa mesej dia? Maknanya boleh kita lakukan. Kalau negara ini nak betul-betul maju, jangan tangguhkan kerana ada ‘holding cost’, ada bayaran untuk pekerja, ada sewa. Ini yang tak perlu, yang kita boleh kurangkan jutaan ringgit kalau kita jalankan tugas secara lebih cekap.
  1. Jadi saya telah buktikan bahawa boleh kita mulakan dan perolehi kelulusan dalam masa 45 hari. Tapi syarat-syarat diteliti, dan ini cabaran bagi saya. Ini tanggungjawab saya bersama rakan-rakan dalam Jemaah Menteri kerana untuk mengingatkan mereka. Kerana keadaan sekarang, bukan saya nak sebut sebab saya kebetulan mengetuai Kerajaan tapi saudara pergi mana-mana, orang melihat kepada Malaysia sekarang.
  1. Tan Sri Low sebut tadi umpamanya orang lihat ada perubahan, dia tengok tumpu, semiconductor hub for the region, data centre, Yang AI baru-baru ini, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, AWS pun datang tumpu dan datang tokoh-tokoh utama mereka bincang untuk meningkatkan. Jadi dalam bidang-bidang tertentu kita nampak lebih cekap, tapi dalam bidang yang biasa orang masih tanya walaupun ada perubahan, Imigresen, JPJ dan syarikat-syarikat Kerajaan.
  1. Baru-baru ini saudara tahu saya sergah, kita Menteri kalau nak keluar saya nak bagi tahu, kena dapat kelulusan Menteri Kewangan dan Jemaah Menteri. Kalau kata nak bawa 4 orang staf, cakap tak payah. 2 orang cukup, Kedutaan ada. Ada yang kata kalau kita nak pergi tak penting tak payah, Menteri lain boleh cover. Saya akan pergi ke Mesir ada perjanjian pendidikan, tak apa Menteri Luar cover boleh sign. Untuk jimatkan wang, ini wang rakyat. Tetapi bulan lalu saya dengar ada satu pesta, pameran di Berlin. Prasarana dan 1-2 wakil lagi, 68 orang nak pergi. Jadi saya bila dapat tahu saya kata pasal apa? Oh, dia kata tak, 18 orang. Saya kata NO. Dia minta 8 orang, saya kata NO. Walaupun kalau 8 orang mungkin munasabah tapi saya nak beri mesej, jadi saya batalkan semua tak payah pergi. Mungkin mereka marah, dah siap, dah tempah tiket, tempah hotel, dah bagitahu isteri dah. Tapi saya kata kalau kita nak betul-betul selamatkan negara, saudara, apakah ini popular? Tak popular. Orang yang terlibat itu ada keluarga dia. Tetapi if I want to affect change, do I have a choice? The answer is no. Either you want to reform and make this country great, you must be courageous and I need the support not only of government leaders, bureaucrats and also business leaders.
  1. Saudara tengok penyasaran subsidi. Ini penting sebab mana ada negara di dunia, yang saya tahu di Asia, tidak ada negara yang beri subsidi sebanyak di Malaysia. Tan Sri Low pakai Mercedes besar, tapi ada subsidi minyak. Jadi kalau saya tarik subsidi, kita tak naikkan kos, tak. Kita tarik subsidi je. Subsidi untuk hanya orang miskin, dia tak complaint, belum complaint lagi lah. Jadi penyasaran subsidi diesel. Tapi kalau pelaksanaannya ada sikit masalah, kita ubah suai. Saya tidak mengatakan dia perfect. Where we need to make the necessary adjustment, we will do. But the waste cannot continue. Look at the issue of chicken, how much is a general hand out through subsidy every year? It is RM1.2 billion. We have withdrawn that. No, we have not seen nor increase the price of chicken. Because if we continue to give subsidy like this and it does not even benefit the poor.
  2. That is why I have an issue about GST. I agree it is the most transparent, efficient system. All the big companies want GST. But please remember, I said “yes”, but let the level of income, the threshold rise first. Give some time, push the economy forward because you implement the GST now means you get everybody to pay. I mean this matter, my political philosophy, my conscience. Is it efficient? Yes, it transparent? Yes. Will the government get more revenue? Yes. But who are you taxing? Everyone. The rich? Yes. The poor, yes. I can’t. So, what is my view? I said look, give some time, give a few years, make sure that the threshold, the level income increases. RM3,000 to RM4,000 minimum then we can gradually adjust this policy. Countries that have implemented GST normally our neighbours have got the level of income, reason first. So that is the only issue that I have.

 

  1. I understand this issue, I have studied for decades. You know the first time that we talk about GST was when I was Finance Minister and what was my statement? The most efficient, transparent system that will be advantages of the government in terms of revenue collection. But what was my answer then in the 1990’s? Give some time. Push the economy forward. Stop this rot or corruption of people taking advantage through the political office. One party can get two, three hundred million direct cash into the party. Individuals can buy properties in London, New York, in Australia. I mean you are businessman do whatever you like with your money. But if I am a politician, I want to become Prime Minister, to serve the people and suddenly I started stealing billions, I can’t do that. That’s precisely the point and therefore we have to make sure we act and stop this rot.

 

  1. I don’t need to ask, you all know the system. Yeah you are part of it, I mean, in a sense that you have to survive. But I’m appealing to you. I want to stop this. I want to stop this, you know? Now, if you can stop this we can, we can get back billions of ringgits of revenue. That’s why I have said this publicly to the so-called Malay leaders. “Kita mesti jaga orang Melayu, kita mesti perjuangkan orang Melayu, kita adalah pemimpin Melayu nak selamatkan Melayu”. Oh bagus. Jadi saya jawab “Betul bagus-bagus, pemimpin Melayu mesti tolong Melayu.” Tapi berapa kekayaan you? RM2 bilion? RM5 bilion? Ada RM8 bilion? “Betul you pejuang Melayu?” “Ya”. “Okay bagi balik setengah kepada orang Melayu. You ada RM8 bilion, bagi RM4 bilion segera sebab you ambil itu cara tidak sah”.
  1. Sebab itu saya cerita, I don’t see this as a racial issue. I see this as common endeavour to help improve governance in this country and save the people. If the poor, we got poor with Malays majority, Indians, Chinese, Sabahan, Sarawakian. You are PMKS, PMKS majority Chinese, fair. We try and build up some Malays, some Indians and the rest. But PMKS is too pivotal, too critical, too important, as not only fundamental but life of the economy in this country. So, we will support, doesn’t matter. But if you look at the PMKS in the past, I hear 90% Chinese therefore we ignore. We can’t. We support them, but we tell them, look, engage with the rest.

 

  1. I mention last week I met the KLK organize this meeting with the oil palm plantations, you know, one interesting suggestion. They built plantations and smallholders around. Some Chinese, some Malays smallholders. So, they suggest then okay, we the big company said KLK, they have a few thousand acres smallholders, they will take charge. Make sure good seeds, good manure, good productivity and they will buy from them. So that is a new approach. So, it’s not a matter of Malays or Chinese issue. Maybe a Chinese company, but surrounding with Malay smallholders. Or SD Guthrie, a Malay Bumiputera institution with some Chinese smallholders around but let’s have that sort of program and that is precisely our new approach in this MADANI Government. We work together as a team and we make sure that we all succeed as a country.
  1. Ada sedikit-sedikit masalah berbangkit. Dia cucuk-cucuk biasa. Sekarang pasal kapal China nak datang Pulau Pinang nak serang Pulau Pinang. Kita ada joint military operations on a small scale, dalam kawasan kita dengan Amerika Syarikat, dengan India, dengan China, dengan Singapura, dengan Indonesia, dengan India jadi semua. Apa dia masalah dia? Bagi saya tak ada masalah. Hal ini telah berlaku sejak lama. Malah kalau di Kerajaan dulu yang bersama PAS dan BERSATU, itu kapal terbang Israel pun boleh lalu, kapal Israel Zim pun boleh masuk pelabuhan. Tapi tak jadi isu. Sekarang jadi isu. Jadi saya nak bagi tahu, dia boleh kata apa yang dia suka. Kita nak jelaskan dasar untuk berbaik dengan semua negara, kapal dia nak berlabuh dalam semua pelabuhan kita bagi semua negara kita akan terus izinkan, no compromise. Yang kita tak bagi Israel, yang lain masuklah. Kerana itu dasar yang kita amalkan sekarang. Tapi ini dijadikan isu untuk menunjukkan “Tengok, China dah ambil alih kerana bila Anwar baik dengan Xi Jinping, kapal perang China dah masuk”.
  2. Baik, kemudian sekarang soal cukai, pengecualian cukai bagi UTAR, tak betul. Itu universiti Cina, Malaysia saya kata apa dia, apa dasar kita? Semua usaha ataupun yayasan untuk pendidikan bukan keuntungan untuk pendidikan kita kecualikan. Mengapa lewat diamal diambil tindakan untuk UTAR? Kerana yayasan itu belum pecahkan di antara urusan syarikat perniagaan komersial dan juga pendidikan. Jadi saya cadangkan dipisahkan. Tetapi kalau untuk bangunkan fakulti, untuk bagi pelajar-pelajar miskin belajar, untuk kecualikan tuisyen kita kecualikan cukai. Bagi saya tak ada masalah. Cuma kita umumkan kerana kelewatan kita luluskan kerana Yayasan UTAR belum pecahkan. Jadi baru-baru ini mereka bagitahu tak apalah dia kata bagi kita setahun, kita pecahkan. Tapi sementara itu tolonglah bagi pengecualian. Bagi semua kelulusan untuk pendidikan dan untuk anak-anak miskin.
  1. Bila saya sebut anak-anak miskin saya tak kiralah anak Cina ke anak Melayu ke anak dan India, Sabah atau Sarawak. Ini anak miskin kalau Melayu tolonglah, ini kalau di UTAR anak Cina, semua anak yang miskin, yang kita bagi biasiswa atau bantuan itu hanya Melayu. Kalau Cina dia miskin tak apa biar dia miskin. Tak boleh fikiran macam ini. Sebab itu saya tahu ia jadi isu. Di kampung apa mereka sebut? “Tengok Anwar dia ikut DAP dan Cina yang kaya RM83 juta tak payah bayar cukai, Melayu yang ada syarikat kecil kena bayar cukai”. Ini kita tahu dakwaan palsu dan kita dalam politik harus kerja. Tapi saya yakin saudara. Saya sebut ini kerana ini jadi isu besar yang digunakan oleh pembangkang. Tapi saya yakin apakah kita undur? No. Apakah kita akan tarik balik? Tidak. Kita saudara-saudara yakinlah. Kalau negara ini mahu jadi negara yang boleh hormat dan kasih kepada semua rakyatnya, semua kaum, Kerajaan ini akan tegas akan melaksanakan apa yang telah kita janjikan and no compromise.
  1. Saya cuma nak jelaskan 2 contoh, ini untuk memberikan kefahaman. Minta maaf kerana cakap panjang sikit sebab saya dengar ACCCIM pun saya agak seronok sikit (nada seloroh). Because I’m here among friends, and I can depend on you in terms of working together as a team to propel the economy. Saya gembira hari ini dan saya percaya kepada Datuk Ng, sesiapa yang kemudian jawatankuasa yang baru, Tan Sri Low akan terus bantu dan kita akan bagi jaminan Kerajaan akan beri kerjasama sepenuhnya untuk angkat ekonomi kita. Saya dengan ini merasmikan Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan ACCCIM ke-78.

Terima kasih.

 

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REMARKS OF YAB PRIME MINISTER AT THE

HANDING OVER CEREMONY OF THE ASEAN CHAIRMANSHIP 

11 OCTOBER 2024

 

 

Your Excellency Sonexay Siphandone  

Prime Minister of Lao PDR,

Your Majesty, Excellencies, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me begin by congratulating the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on their ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024.

Thank you and congratulations to you, the government, your entire team for a great job, the splendid stewardship. Thank you and of course, we require their support, together with the Secretary General and ASEAN Secretariat, and more importantly my colleagues, the leaders, to be able to advise and assist me in ensuring the success of ASEAN and particularly the most senior and outstanding leader, His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei.

I thank them for their splendid stewardship and unwavering commitment, and I look forward to their support, and also from the Secretary General of ASEAN, ASEAN secretariat and most important from our most senior and outstanding leader, His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei.

Your Majesty, Excellencies, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The year 2025 will be a momentous chapter for ASEAN, rich with significance and promise. We will mark the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN Community’s founding, a milestone in our collective journey. 

And with it, we will embrace a new landmark – the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 – charting the course for our shared future for the next two decades. 

Malaysia has chosen the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” It reflects our aspiration for truly shared progress, ensuring that no one is left behind. It conveys our hope that the steps we take today will endure in the long run. It underscores our determination to keep the future firmly in sight as we move forward.

At all times our actions and decisions will be guided by the principle of consensus.  Together, we will reaffirm our commitment to building an open, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture.

Your Majesty, Excellencies,  Ladies and Gentlemen,

ASEAN’s journey began nearly six decades ago, inspired by a vision of peace, stability and prosperity. Today, ASEAN stands strong, ready to embrace the future with confidence.  The future of ASEAN must include

Timor-Leste, whose inclusion will expand our region’s economy and contribute to fulfilling our grand vision.  

As we strengthen the region internally, we will continue to explore and broaden our economic partnerships beyond our borders.  The convening of the ASEAN-GCC + China Summit in 2025 will achieve exactly this.

Above all, ASEAN will be unflinching in safeguarding Southeast Asia as a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. 

On behalf of the Government and people of Malaysia, I look forward to welcoming you all. Selamat datang ke Malaysia.

Terima kasih.

Khab jai.

Thank you.

PMs-Remarks-ASEAN-Handover-Ceremony-11-10-2024Download