UMedic expects rising demand for healthcare
UMediC said the government's continued focus on improving healthcare standards supports its ambitions to expand.
PETALING JAYA: UMediC Group Bhd is optimistic about its growth outlook, backed by strategic initiatives and sustained demand in the healthcare sector, including facility upgrades, medical tourism, and efforts to ease overcrowding.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, UMediC said the government's continued focus on improving healthcare standards supports its ambitions to expand.
'Given the Malaysian government's sustained commitment towards advancing the nation's healthcare standards, UMediC remains optimistic about its future growth trajectory,' the group said.
The group posted a 20.3% rise in net profit to RM1.9mil for its third quarter ended April 30, (3Q25), from RM1.58mil a year earlier, despite a marginal revenue dip of 0.43% to RM11.64mil due to unfavourable forex movements.
For the cumulative nine-month period (9M25), revenue fell 8.6% year-on-year to RM36.27mil while net profit slipped 5.2% to RM5.64mil.
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The Star
24 minutes ago
- The Star
Bullied and ignored
WuTHE bystander effect – where individuals are less likely to help when others are present – is silently fuelling a bullying crisis in Malaysian schools. If left unchallenged, this culture of silence can deepen trauma and leave lasting scars on victims' mental health and self-worth. Part of the problem, experts say, lies in school culture. According to Sunway University School of Psychology senior lecturer Dr Wu Shin Ling, up to 70% of students remain silent when witnessing bullying. 'One of the main reasons is the fear of retaliation, where many students fear becoming the next target. This happens often, especially in closed environments like hostels, where escape is difficult,' she told StarEdu. 'Orientation programmes where senior students are permitted to 'educate' or 'toughen up' juniors through humiliation or intimidation are often framed as rites of passage but they can, in reality, perpetuate cycles of fear, silence and harm,' she added. Wu also highlighted early warning signs such as rigid social cliques, sudden behavioural shifts in once-engaged students, and casual jokes targeting specific identities such as race, gender or appearance. In some cases, she said, bullying becomes so normalised that students dismiss it as 'just how things are here'. Lone struggle For those who endured bullying in silence, the damage can be devastating. Adieka, now 30, still grapples with the long-term effects of bullying. 'It has affected my mental and emotional well-being,' he said. Bullied for his naivety and mocked for having an eidetic memory, he felt isolated and overlooked. 'I hoped others could have at least asked what happened and showed some concern,' he shared. Adieka is not alone in feeling this way. Stephanie, now 24, recalled being bullied physically and verbally. Her teachers missed the warning signs – withdrawal, silence, and tears in class. When she finally found the courage to speak up, nothing changed. 'The bullying continued as if my voice didn't matter. 'My peers were too afraid to speak up, and I dreaded going to school. It got so bad I had suicidal thoughts,' she said. For her, being a bystander is a choice. 'What if it were your own sibling, friend, or someone you cared about being targeted? Would you stay silent?' she asked. School support FouziNational Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) secretary-general Fouzi Singon said school leadership is crucial in setting the tone for a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. 'When principals and administrators are proactive, transparent and consistent in addressing bullying, they create an environment where staff and students feel supported in speaking up,' he said. Fouzi pointed to the 'Garis Panduan Pengurusan Salah Laku Buli di Institusi Pendidikan (SPI KPM Bil. 12/2023)' as a key guideline that classifies various forms of bullying as serious misconduct. He added that beyond policies, programmes like Sekolahku Sejahtera and Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya (PRS) empower students to act as allies and peer supporters. 'The Sekolahku Sejahtera framework provides a conducive platform for schools to integrate anti-bullying messages and encourage students to intervene safely or report incidents,' he noted. Meanwhile, PRS trains selected student leaders to serve as peer counsellors and mediators, providing a safe outlet for other students to report bullying or seek support. Collective responsibility While peer-led initiatives offer critical support, Wu stressed the importance of starting even earlier, as early as primary school – with a focus on empathy and consequences of inaction. 'Cultivating a culture of collective responsibility is important, where every student and educator believes, 'If it's not okay, it's my job to say something,'' she said. To translate these values into action, both Wu and Fouzi called for clear systems of support – visible teacher intervention, safe reporting channels, and open communication. They asserted that teachers play a frontline role to encourage positive bystander behaviour among students. 'Classroom discussions, role-playing scenarios, and normalised conversations about social dynamics and power help to empower students to act,' Wu said. Fouzi suggested integrating social-emotional learning into lessons to help students develop empathy and confidence to stand up for others. To evaluate impact, he recommended that schools monitor trends through the Sistem Sahsiah Diri Murid portal, assess student feedback on safety and willingness to intervene, and track bystander-led reports. Ultimately, Wu said students are more likely to speak up when they see that action is taken and confidentiality is respected. Surviving the scars I was 13 when I witnessed someone being bullied. A girl was being cornered and mocked by a group of my batchmates. I stepped in and told them to stop. I didn't realise I had just become their new target. They spread lies, isolated me, and abused me physically. One night, they dragged the girl into the dorm's ironing room right in front of me. The worst happened when they attacked me with a hot iron. They said to the girl, 'Now, watch the person you thought could save you from getting punished.' I remember the pain and seeing that girl cry, even kneeling, kissing their feet, and begging them to stop. They laughed at how pathetic both of us looked. It was two of us against eight of them. I wished someone would come, but no one did. There were over 90 girls in the dorm, but no one stood up for me. Even the teachers and wardens didn't believe me. That moment broke me. I lost all my confidence and started skipping classes. I became suicidal and no longer believed in myself, or anyone else. I stopped talking and avoided people. I'd collapse from nightmares, exhaustion and fear. Eventually, I had to leave the school but the mental scars stayed. Years later, I attended therapy to process what had happened. It's a long journey, but I'm trying. If I could turn back time, I would still choose to stand up for her. I'm sharing this not to gain sympathy, but to remind people that bullying destroys lives. That silence can be deadly. And that kindness, just one voice speaking up, can save someone's life. – Lily*, 31 *Note: Name has been changed to protect the bullying survivor's identity. In the news 2024 June: Slapped in silence - A viral video showed a 13-year-old girl being slapped in a school toilet by her two 15-year-old schoolmates in Kerian, Perak, while other students watched silently - some even encouraged the act. - School authorities formed a committee to investigate the incident; two perpetrators were expelled and four were suspended. July: No more sweeping it under carpet - Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek responded to the Kerian incident, stating that investigations and disciplinary action were underway. - She emphasised that no bullying case should be swept under the carpet and pledged improved handling guidelines in collaboration with schools and police. November: Cadets expelled, accountability demanded - Five Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia cadet officers involved in three separate bullying incidents were expelled and ordered to pay compensation. - Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin stated this was to ensure accountability and deter future incidents. December: Legal reform and ministry push - The Dewan Rakyat passed the Penal Code (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2024, introducing harsher penalties for bullying and harassment, including: - Publishing victims' identities causing distress, fear or alarm. - Provoking self-harm or suicide (up to 10 years of jail, fine or both). - Education Ministry initiatives: - Enhanced tracking of misconduct through the Student Discipline System (SSDM). - Launched the 'Gerakan Kepimpinan Madani: Hentikan Buli' programme to end bullying culture in schools. 2025 January: Former students speak out - Two former residential school students said they were physically assaulted by their seniors - dunked in water or kicked in the ribs. - Fadhlina clarified the school was not under her ministry's purview but warned all school leaders to stop covering up bullying cases. March: 'Push-Up Punishment' in Teluk Intan - Sixty-two Form Two and Form Four students were reportedly forced to do 200 push-ups by two Form Five seniors, leading to muscle pain and swelling. April: Mara tightens the reins - A viral video showed MRSM Form Three boys pinning down and whipping another peer with a belt on a bed. - Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi rolled out anti-bullying initiatives across MRSM schools: - Special counsellor training - Regular monitoring - Direct involvement from the Mara leadership Example: At an MRSM, the disciplinary committee acted within 24 hours of a bullying report, showing improved responsiveness. June: Burnt in their sleep - A Form Two male student who pressed a hot iron on eight sleeping dormitory mates has been placed at the Henry Gurney School until he turns 17. Source: Media reports
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Bursa Malaysia to remain cautious, CI to trade within 1,500-1,530 range
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia is expected to remain cautious next week, tracking Wall Street's performance as markets digest signals from the United States (US) Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), said an analyst. UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors Sdn Bhd's head of investment research Mohd Sedek Jantan noted that the US Federal Reserve's (Fed) projections, characterised by slower growth, elevated inflation, and a higher unemployment trajectory for 2025–2027—suggest a stagflationary undertone, which could weigh on risk sentiment. "Growth-sensitive sectors may face headwinds as the policy outlook remains uncertain. The split in the FOMC's dot plot, with members divided between no interest rates cuts and two cuts by year-end, implies limited near-term easing and reduces the likelihood of a July cut," he told Bernama. Mohd Sedek also pointed out that the benchmark index is hovering near the psychological threshold of 1,500 points, adding that a breach of this level could trigger opportunistic buying by institutional investors, especially as the index nears its immediate support at 1,490 points. "While the FOMC's guidance has introduced caution, markets may find support at lower levels, where valuations become more compelling. Geopolitical-driven volatility is often short-lived, and we expect a moderation in risk sentiment as these concerns subside," he said. Meanwhile, Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng market focus next week will shift to several key economic indicators, including the US quarterly gross domestic product and jobless claims. "The FBM KLCI is currently priced at about 12 times the calendar year 2025 price-to-earnings ratio, notably below its long-term average of over 16 times, indicating potential for further appreciation. "The subdued valuation may attract bargain hunters. For the week ahead, we expect the index to trade within the 1,500–1,530 points range," Thong added. For the week just ended, Bursa Malaysia was mostly subdued as investors stayed on the sidelines due to ongoing concerns over the Middle East conflict and the anticipated implementation of reciprocal tariffs by US President Donald Trump. On a Friday-to-Friday basis, the barometer index dropped 15.37 points to 1,502.74 from 1,518.11 a week earlier. The FBM Emas Index fell 141.109 points to 11,228.99, the FBMT 100 Index was down 128.59 points to 11,015.45, and the FBM Emas Shariah Index declined 128.19 points to 11,201.34. The FBM 70 Index decreased 250.96 points to 16,117.75 and the FBM ACE Index shrank 86.34 points to 4,400.85. Across sectors, the Industrial Products and Services Index eased by 4.08 points to 147.27 and the Energy Index was 5.05 points lower at 735.71. The Plantation Index slid 0.40 of-a-point to 7,220.52, the Healthcare Index dipped 85.83 points to 1,691.89, and the Financial Services Index tumbled 179.87 points to 17,468.38. Turnover dropped to 13.72 billion units worth RM10.84 billion from 13.89 billion units valued at RM10.61 billion in the preceding week. The Main Market volume fell to 6.29 billion units valued at RM9.63 billion against 6.42 billion units worth RM9.47 billion previously. Warrants turnover expanded to 6.16 billion units worth RM845.61 million versus 5.97 billion units valued at RM687.92 million a week ago. The ACE Market volume slipped to 1.25 billion units valued at RM361.21 million compared with 1.50 billion units worth RM458.75 million in the preceding week.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
M'sian customer frustrated after delivery rider allegedly demands tip
TIPPING culture is generally not practised in Malaysia, unlike in countries such as the United States, which is why Malaysians are generally not obliged to tip. The issue of tipping was recently highlighted in a Threads post after a Malaysian customer alleged that a delivery rider had requested a tip. The request did not sit well with the customer, who wrote in their post: 'Has Western culture reached Malaysia already? I give tips when I want to. I don't like being asked to do so.' The post sparked discussion about whether one is obligated to tip service workers — especially when a tip is explicitly requested. Meanwhile, others encouraged the customer to report the delivery rider to the company, pointing out that the delivery fee had already been paid. 'In the United States, customers have to tip because there is no service charge there. But in Malaysia, self-service shops can impose a service charge, which is unfortunate,' one user noted. 'Their income comes from their salary, not tips. We understand that tipping is an act of gratitude, but we don't want it to become a norm or something expected. Regardless of whether they receive a tip or not, they should still perform their duties. We're not just paying for the food — we're also paying a service charge. And with food delivery, we're already paying a delivery charge,' another user commented.
