Anwar shares royal compliment on Malaysia's medical expertise

PETALING JAYA: Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah praised the quality and expertise of doctors at the National Heart Institute (IJN) after receiving treatment there.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim conveyed this during the Higher Education Ministry's Ilmuan Malaysia Madani forum titled "Transport for the People: Balancing Affordability, Quality and Sustainability of Public Transport."
"His Majesty told me that, as someone with exposure to and experience with some of the world's best medical centres, he was very satisfied with the quality of service, excellence, and expertise of our doctors at IJN," he said.
Anwar added that while the government welcomes criticism, Malaysians should also recognise national achievements, especially in healthcare.
"So while we allow criticism, which is not a problem, we must also recognise the strengths we have, and there must be the drive to push ourselves to do better," he said.
The Sultan of Brunei was in Kuala Lumpur for the 46th Asean Summit with other regional leaders.
On May 27, he was reportedly feeling fatigued and was advised by health experts to rest at IJN.
Anwar also spoke about his conversation with President of Guinea-Bissau General Umaro Sissoco Embaló, during which he asked why Malaysia was chosen despite limited bilateral trade.
"His answer was that he follows developments here and sees Malaysia as a country on the rise, with significant potential. That's why he chose to come," he said.
Embaló arrived today for a three-day visit—his first since taking office as president in February 2020.
Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau established diplomatic relations in November 1974.
In 2024, Malaysia's total trade with Guinea-Bissau reached RM4.1 million, with Malaysian exports amounting to RM4.04 million and imports standing at RM0.06 million.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Star

an hour ago

• The Star

Giving refugees the right to work a win-win for Malaysia, says MEF

PETALING JAYA: Allowing refugees and asylum seekers to work under a regulated framework could help address labour shortages and boost Malaysia's economy, says the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF). Its president, Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman, said over 185,000 refugees and asylum seekers currently reside in the country, most of whom are of working age and physically capable of contributing to the economy. 'Despite having the skills, willingness and potential to contribute, they face legal and practical barriers to formal employment,' he said in a statement on Sunday (June 22). "MEF believes that, if managed strategically and humanely, the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the formal labour market will positively help address several pressing national challenges, particularly in sectors facing acute labour shortages such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing and care services." Syed Hussain proposed allowing those registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to be granted formal work access in Malaysia. 'This will not only provide them with the opportunity to recover from the trauma of war, conflict and persecution, but also allow them to contribute to Malaysia's economic growth, with clear benefits to businesses and consumers,' he added. He said MEF believes formalising refugee employment could support GDP growth through increased labour output, consumption, taxation and entrepreneurship. It could also reduce exploitation and illegal hiring by promoting compliance with labour laws, while saving employers time and recruitment costs by tapping into an existing workforce, said Syed Hussain. He cited a joint study by the International Labour Organization and UNHCR, which found that enabling refugees to work could raise a country's GDP by up to 0.5% over time. 'If even 30 to 40% of the refugee and asylum seeker population is granted access to the formal job market, this could add 55,000 to 75,000 employees to Malaysia's labour force, boosting productivity and supporting national economic growth,' he said. Syed Hussain stressed that this would not displace local workers, especially in 3D jobs (dirty, dangerous, and difficult) typically shunned by Malaysians. 'It would reduce dependency on foreign workers and cut enforcement costs associated with illegal labour,' he said. Syed Hussain said this move would also strengthen Malaysia's international standing on human rights and align with global standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and ESG expectations. 'MEF is calling on the government to collaborate with employers, trade unions, NGOs and international bodies to develop a clear, transparent policy framework that defines legal work status, outlines obligations and rights, integrates skills recognition and includes proper vetting and monitoring mechanisms. 'MEF believes the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers into Malaysia's formal workforce is a win-win strategy - one that strengthens economic resilience, meets business needs and upholds Malaysia's humanitarian commitments,' he said.

New Straits Times

2 hours ago

• New Straits Times

Amanah pushes special Dewan Rakyat sitting on Middle-East conflict

ALOR STAR: Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) has urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to convene a special Parliament sitting to address Malaysia's official position on the escalating conflict in the Middle East. This came following large-scale military action launched by Israel and the United States of America against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar said the situation posed a grave threat to regional stability and could have far-reaching implications for global security, including Southeast Asia. "This military aggression has not only caused loss of lives and destruction of public infrastructure in Iran, but it has also opened the door to wider regional conflict that risks undermining global stability," he said in a statement today. Mahfuz said Malaysia must urgently deliberate on appropriate diplomatic measures and assess the geopolitical and economic impact, including supply chain disruptions, fluctuating oil prices, and regional security risks. "As the highest democratic institution in the country, Parliament cannot remain silent on matters involving universal justice, the sovereignty of other nations, and humanity. "The voice of the Malaysian people must be expressed through a legitimate and respectable channel which is the Dewan Rakyat," he said. Mahfuz stressed that as a neutral and principled nation, Malaysia must maintain its consistent stand of rejecting all forms of colonisation, invasion and violations of international law. "It is also our responsibility to continue Malaysia's active role in promoting global peace through our engagements within the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Asean," he said. Mahfuz added that Malaysians overwhelmingly reject violence and support peaceful solutions, and that it was the government's moral and political obligation to ensure the country's voice is heard clearly and with dignity on the world stage. "I call on the Prime Minister to immediately consider convening this special Parliament sitting in the interest of upholding justice and humanity," he said. Earlier today, the US announced its entry into the Iran-Israel War, stating that it has carried out attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites. Entering its second week, Israel began the conflict through 'preemptive' airstrikes on several strategic sites in Iran, including nuclear facilities, missile bases and military command centres, followed with retaliation by the Gulf state.

BusinessToday

2 hours ago

• BusinessToday

Reform The Education System, No Time To Cut Corners

In recent years, concerns regarding the state of education in Malaysia have been raised across various platforms, with social media providing a space for both parents and citizens to express their frustrations. Issues such as teenagers struggling to form coherent English sentences, alongside the widespread use of shortcuts in the national Malay language, have compromised proper language use and understanding, affecting other educational areas such as STEM, which relies heavily on clear and precise language to foster innovation and problem-solving. These discussions highlight a growing concern about the quality of education. The Education Ministry (MOE) must address this issue immediately because the stagnation in Malaysia's education system is not simply reflected in statistics; it directly affects the nation's long-term competitiveness and its ability to prosper in the global market. If Malaysia is to realise its full potential, education must be treated as a priority, and its focus must be broadened beyond superficial aspects like the Jalur Gemilang badges or shoe colour. MOE should be focusing on more substantial matters such as academic standards, student well-being and access to quality education for all. Statistics from the Human Rights Measurement Initiative revealed that Malaysia is falling short in terms of education rights. The country ranks third-lowest in ASEAN for education rights, ahead of only Brunei and Laos, with a score of only 67.5%. Even more troubling, this score has remained largely unchanged over the past decade, suggesting little progress has been made. This is worrying, as it indicates that we are not fully utilising the potential of our educational system, particularly when compared to other nations with similar economic standing. This underperformance is not an issue to be taken lightly. Education is a fundamental right, not a privilege, and cutting corners in this area not only jeopardises the future of Malaysians but also limits the nation's broader growth and global competitiveness. If Malaysia is to thrive on the international stage, we cannot afford to neglect our education system. Additionally, the shift towards an exam-oriented system, focused on memorisation rather than fostering true understanding, points to a deeper, systemic issue within our educational framework. Furthermore, every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic background, ethnicity or legal status. Denying this rights stifle potential, perpetuates inequality, and undermines the nation's progress. These challenges are most acutely felt by the most vulnerable in society. People with disabilities, those from lower social or economic backgrounds, street children and indigenous communities continue to face significant barriers to accessing quality education. The lack of equal opportunities for these groups only deepens educational inequality and reinforces socio-economic disparities. Only by addressing these systemic issues can Malaysia hope to unlock its full potential and secure its position as a competitive force in the global economy. Education is a right, not a luxury, and ensuring this right for all is essential in creating a more equitable future for the nation. The above commentary is by MCA Education Consultative Committee Deputy Chairperson Felicia Wong Yin Ting Related