Focus on developing Malaysia, not restricting freedom of speech
ARTICLE 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution guarantees every Malaysian citizen the right to freedom of speech and expression. This constitutional right ensures that all citizens have the freedom to voice their opinions and share their thoughts.
However, this fundamental right seems to be under threat. Recently, several prominent figures and political analysts have faced pressure following their statements or content shared on social media, particularly when discussing issues related to government policies.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
23 minutes ago
- The Star
Malaysia proposes Asean Institute
Hand-in-hand: Zambry (sixth from left) with other Asean Higher Education Ministers joining hands for a photo shoot before the start of the meeting in Langkawi. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star. LANGKAWI: Malaysia has proposed establishing a dedicated Asean Institute for members of the region, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. The Higher Education Minister said while some countries already have Asean-related research centres at the university level, there is currently no comprehensive institute that brings together the expertise of all Asean member states across various fields. 'Malaysia has offered to host this proposed Asean Institute. 'The rationale is that Malaysia possesses the necessary expertise, with institutions such as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), particularly through the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies, already conducting studies on Asean and international affairs,' he said during a press conference after the Asean Higher Education Ministers' Roundtable: Envisioning the Next Decade and Beyond here yesterday. Zambry said following the discussions with the vice-chancellor of UKM, the proposal has been positively received. He said Malaysia will prepare a concept note to be shared with all Asean members, and the proposal will be submitted to the Asean Secretariat for consideration during the leaders' meeting scheduled for October in Kuala Lumpur. Zambry said another key development during the roundtable is the adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Higher Education. He said the matter is highly significant for Asean's long-term vision toward 2045. 'The previous Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Higher Education was adopted in 2015, also in Kuala Lumpur. 'With that declaration reaching its 10-year term, a new framework is required to guide the future direction of Asean higher education,' he said, adding that all member states have officially adopted the declaration during the meeting. He said the new declaration, which covers 2025 to 2045, aligns with the broader Asean vision in 2045. In another development, Zambry said the Higher Education Ministry is working closely with the Foreign Ministry on the whereabouts of seven Malaysian students in Iran. 'During my recent visit to Iran few weeks ago, I was informed that there are about seven Malaysian students there. 'Although some of them may not be officially registered with our embassy, but as Malaysian citizens, we still have a responsibility to look after their well-being,' he said. He added that the ministry will continue to monitor their status and provide assistance as necessary. On Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry issued an advisory for all Malaysians in Iran to leave the country immediately due to the increasingly tense security situation following Israel's aggressive actions against Iran. In a statement, the ministry said the situation in Iran remains volatile and could deteriorate without prior warning. Tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated since last Friday following an unprovoked airstrike by Israel on Iranian territory, reportedly killing several senior military officials and scientists.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
PM: JS-SEZ stands out globally due to trust and stability
ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) stands out globally due to the strong trust and cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore, as well as the zone's political stability and policy clarity, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'Look at this region, this SEZ. It would not have happened if the two governments, the two systems, do not share common interests in uplifting both countries. 'This is not an ordinary SEZ. You name me any economic zone that involves two countries based on total trust and working together as a team to uplift both societies and countries. 'And therefore I give credit not only to Malaysian leaders in Johor, but also our Singapore friends who have been articulating the support,' the Prime Minister said in his speech during the closing ceremony of the Nikkei Forum here. While many countries offer better incentives than the JS-SEZ, he pointed out that not many have a politically stable system, a strong coalition, willingness to acknowledge past blunders and commit to clear policies moving forward. 'That is why the JS-SEZ is now known internationally, globally, as a new dynamo, because of this collaboration, infrastructure in place and because it is politically stable with clarity of policies,' he said. Anwar, who detailed all the wars and turmoil around the world, said that Asean happens to be one of the most peaceful regions in the world which is vibrant and dynamic economically. He said that trade and investments remain paramount and must be based on the multilateral arrangements. The Prime Minister described Malaysia's relationship with China as very close, adding that not many countries could record the visits of China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang within a short span if relations were not extremely close. 'As a trading nation, we need all the investments, support, trading, and transfer of technology that China can offer, as the Japanese have offered for decades in the past,' he added.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Carbon tax approach to achieving green future
PETALING JAYA: A carbon tax does not have to hurt the average Malaysian, but it could force polluters to clean up their act. That is the message from experts as the country prepares to roll out the levy by 2026. Taylor's University research cluster lead for innovative management practices Prof Dr Poon Wai Ching said the carbon tax should not be viewed simply as a revenue-raising measure but also as a vital tool in steering Malaysia toward a more sustainable, low-carbon future. 'It reduces greenhouse gas emissions by assigning a monetary cost to emitting carbon dioxide,' she said. 'For instance, if a company emits 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ and the tax is RM10 per tonne, it would owe RM100,000, putting real financial pressure on businesses to invest in cleaner technologies and energy efficiency.' The policy is expected to initially target high-emission sectors such as iron, steel and energy. Revenue generated could be channelled into green research, innovation and sustainable infrastructure, including climate adaptation projects and circular economy initiatives. Poon added that although Malaysia has long been aligned with global climate frameworks like the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, recent shifts in international trade dynamics have intensified the need for action. 'One key factor is the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which will tax imports based on their carbon content,' she said. 'If Malaysia doesn't act, we risk losing competitiveness in global trade.' She also stressed the importance of revenue recycling – using income from the carbon tax to benefit the wider public, such as by supporting low-income communities, subsidising green technologies and strengthening national sustainable development goals. While the carbon tax underscores Malaysia's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions, Poon said the recent rationalisation of RON95 fuel subsidies helps ease the public into the idea of paying closer to the true environmental cost of energy. 'It makes the shift to carbon pricing smoother over time,' she added. Poon also pointed out that 37 countries have introduced carbon tax frameworks, including Singapore and European nations such as Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. She said Malaysia could draw valuable lessons from these international models by adopting a phased approach, ensuring transparent pricing and protecting vulnerable communities. 'If businesses adopt sustainable and circular economy strategies now, they can boost their ESG (environmental, social and governance) performance and tap into regional growth opportunities,' she said. Universiti Teknologi Mara Malaysian Institute of Transport head of legal and quality Dr Siti Ayu Jalil said the transport and logistics sector, which contributed 5% to Malaysia's GDP in 2024, will face both short-term and long-term challenges under the new policy. 'In the short term, the carbon tax and fuel subsidy cuts will raise operational costs in freight, haulage and ride-hailing services. This may lead to higher prices for essential goods, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, where transport distances are greater,' she said. Over time, the carbon tax will become a fixed cost for businesses, incentivising them to adopt low-emission fleets such as electric and hybrid trucks and to shift towards rail and maritime transport, she added. Green certifications may also become essential to stay competitive, she said. To support the transition, Siti Ayu called for targeted government incentives, including grants and tax breaks for low-emission vehicles, as well as expanded EV charging infrastructure. She also recommended increased investment in freight rail and urban logistics hubs to reduce urban congestion and emissions. 'Part of the carbon tax revenue should be used to fund research and innovation in sustainable transport technology,' she added. 'This includes adopting digital solutions like GPS-based tracking and AI-driven route optimisation to reduce fuel consumption.' Siti Ayu also underscored the importance of protecting low-income groups and rural populations from the knock-on effects of rising transport costs. She proposed targeted cash transfers and rebates for B40 and M40 households, continued support for public transport passes such as My50 and My100 and the reintroduction of My30 to ensure affordable unlimited travel. In rural areas, she suggested logistics subsidies for essential goods such as food and medicine to prevent price surges. 'Reform is unavoidable. Malaysia must do its part in combatting climate change and aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This is not just a tax. It's a path to a climate-resilient, productive and fair future,' said Siti Ayu.
