Latest news with #HIDAYATHHISHAM
Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
Malaysia calls on global powers to de-escalate conflicts
by HIDAYATH HISHAM MALAYSIA is urging influential nations to take decisive steps in de-escalating wars and conflicts worldwide, warning that unchecked aggression risks dismantling global diplomacy and humanitarian norms. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said recent events in the Middle East show how quickly dialogue can collapse under the weight of targeted violence, citing Israeli attacks on Iranian territory as an example. 'The incessant, punitive and unprovoked Israeli strikes on Iranian territory undertaken even as crucial talks were underway are certainly aimed at shattering the possibility of dialogue itself. 'We are for effective engagement. We are for unconditional peace in the region,' he said during his keynote address at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable in Kuala Lumpur today. He stressed that international law and global order are under threat from actors operating with impunity, and called for powerful countries to step in. Touching on the ongoing crisis in Gaza, Anwar said Malaysia will continue speaking out despite its geographic distance from the conflict. He said the humanitarian toll has been too severe to ignore and called for immediate international action to enforce humanitarian law, secure a ceasefire and ensure aid reaches civilians in need. 'They require concerted international action to uphold humanitarian law, secure an immediate ceasefire and ensure the unfettered delivery of aid to those in desperate need. The credibility of the so-called rules-based order is on trial,' he said. Turning to other global hotspots, Anwar said the unresolved India-Pakistan conflict, the Taiwan Straits, the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea all reflect rising fault lines across the region. He said ASEAN remains united in condemning North Korea's provocations, reaffirming Malaysia's belief in diplomacy over confrontation. 'We must insist on the primacy of dialogue over disruption, of law over disorder of restraint over escalation,' he said. Anwar added that Malaysia envisions a regional security framework that is inclusive and sustainable, rejecting rigid geopolitical blocs. 'Malaysia believes the future of this region lies not in hardened blocks of fragile balances, but in a security architecture that is inclusive, predictable, one in which active non-alignment is not merely tolerated, but enabled to thrive,' he said.
Malaysian Reserve
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Malaysian Reserve
Mandatory speed limit device, 90kph speed cap for heavy vehicles
by HIDAYATH HISHAM COMMERCIAL buses and heavy vehicles in Malaysia will soon be required to install and activate speed limitation devices (SLDs), with a maximum speed cap of 90kph. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the enforcement will begin in stages from October, led by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), as part of efforts to improve road safety. 'This device plays an important role in preventing driving beyond the prescribed speed limit, especially for vehicles carrying heavy loads or passengers,' he said at the SLD enforcement launch at Scania Malaysia's facility in Shah Alam, Selangor, today. From Oct 1, all express buses, tour buses and goods vehicles over 3,500kg registered on or after Jan 1, 2015, must undergo a functionality check every two years to ensure their SLDs are operating correctly. The verification report must be issued by either the vehicle manufacturer, a JPJ-recognised workshop or service facility, an accredited technical service or a certification body approved by the Department of Standards Malaysia. Loke said the document must be carried in the vehicle at all times and will also be required during inspections at Pusat Pemeriksaan Kenderaan Motor (PPKM) and for permit applications or renewals with the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). For vehicles registered before 2015 with SLDs embedded in their electronic control units (ECUs), activation will be mandatory starting Jan 1, 2026. Vehicles without any existing SLDs — including older heavy vehicles and rebuilt or imported used units — must install the device by July 1, 2026. Retrofitting, Loke added, must be carried out by a JPJ-recognised workshop, technical service provider or accredited certification body, in full compliance with technical specifications set by the authorities. Once installed, the device must be verified, documented in an official report and renewed every two years. The report must also be kept in the vehicle for enforcement purposes. JPJ will also expand its Conformity of Production (COP) inspections — which began in April — to cover commercial vehicle models with Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) issued from 2015 onwards. 'The implementation of this enforcement is an important step towards ensuring commercial vehicles comply with critical safety features, thereby reducing the risk of road accidents involving loss of life and property,' he said. Loke urged vehicle manufacturers, logistics firms and fleet operators to give full cooperation in supporting safer, more compliant transport systems under the Malaysia Madani framework.
Malaysian Reserve
30-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Tengku Zafrul urges ASEAN to focus on resilience, digital trade
By HIDAYATH HISHAM BUSINESSES must now incorporate resilience, agility and adaptability into their long-term strategies to navigate global supply chain disruptions. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the increasingly volatile global landscape — driven by geopolitical tension — demands that regional cooperation play a central role in ensuring supply chain continuity. 'In today's globalised economy, supply chain disruptions resulting from geopolitical tensions have become the norm. Businesses must now plan for resilience, agilit and adaptability,' he said during the Supply Chain City Malaysia groundbreaking ceremony in Bandar Bukit Raja, Klang on Thursday. Tengku Zafrul said under Malaysia's leadership, ASEAN is poised to tackle key challenges such as digital transformation, climate change and ongoing recovery from global crises. He said Malaysia is working with its ASEAN counterparts to implement the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) — aimed at enabling a robust and sustainable economic recovery across the region. One of the core priorities under ACRF is strengthening the ASEAN Single Window (ASW), a trade facilitation platform that integrates and streamlines customs and clearance procedures across member states. 'By reducing bureaucracy and improving trade efficiency, the ASW will play a pivotal role in strengthening regional supply chains and boosting intra-ASEAN trade, which currently accounts for nearly 25% of total ASEAN trade,' he said. Malaysia is also pushing for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which aims to harmonise digital trade regulations and accelerate cross-border e-commerce adoption across the region. 'This initiative will not only enhance digital connectivity but also create new opportunities for businesses and consumers across ASEAN,' he added. Tengku Zafrul said the government remains committed to fostering stronger partnerships within ASEAN, citing the recently concluded ASEAN–GCC–China Summit as a key example of regional coordination. 'This summit sent a clear message to the world, that ASEAN is open for business and we are ready to lead in building a more resilient and interconnected global economy,' he said. He also mentioned ASEAN's growing significance in global trade, noting its combined GDP of over US$3.6 trillion (RM15.26 trillion) and population of more than 680 million people. 'As the world's fifth-largest economy, ASEAN is a critical player in the global supply chain, accounting for nearly 7% of global trade,' he added. Tengku Zafrul said the Supply Chain City Malaysia reflects Malaysia's aspirations to elevate its logistics industry through automation, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven systems and sustainable growth, while enhancing trade efficiency and connectivity across the region.
Malaysian Reserve
27-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand commit to US$39b in infrastructure projects
By HIDAYATH HISHAM MALAYSIA, Indonesia and Thailand have announced US$39 billion (RM165.3 billion) worth of infrastructure and physical connectivity projects under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), aimed at driving regional development. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the large-scale investments reflect a shared commitment by the three countries to deliver inclusive and sustainable economic transformation. 'Infrastructure, with US$39 billion worth of physical and connectivity projects across our three countries,' he said during the 16th IMT-GT Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on May 27. The initiative focuses on cross-border development in sectors such as tourism, halal products, agro-industry and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Anwar added that climate change remains a core concern, as it continues to affect the livelihoods and well-being of communities across the subregion. He also thanked Thailand for taking swift steps to approve key border projects, including the Rantau Panjang crossing and the Golok River bridge, which are now progressing smoothly. Earlier in the session, the three countries signed the IMT-GT Framework of Cooperation on Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (FOC CIQ). The agreement was signed by Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, and Thailand's Deputy Finance Minister Julapan Amornvivat.
Malaysian Reserve
27-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
ASEAN adopts KL Declaration, reaffirms centrality and long-term goals
By HIDAYATH HISHAM ASEAN member states have adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the ASEAN Community, renewing their collective commitment to deepen integration and advance the region's shared future. The Foreign Affairs Ministry (Wisma Putra) said the declaration was endorsed during the 46th ASEAN Summit on May 26, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur. 'We pledge to continue working together in the maintenance and promotion of peace, security, and stability, as well as further development and growth in the region, to ensure that the ASEAN Community continues to thrive and remains adaptive and responsive to the impacts and inherent opportunities of existing and future megatrends,' it said in a statement. The declaration outlines nine key commitments, including the strengthening of ASEAN centrality, enhanced cooperation with external partners, deeper economic integration, and improved coordination across sectors and pillars. Wisma Putra also highlighted the need for a forward-looking agenda to respond to rapid change, including challenges related to climate, technology, and evolving power dynamics. 'We reaffirm our commitment to the ASEAN Community's next phase through ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, which is people-centred, sustainable, dynamic, and resilient, with an inclusive, rules-based, and economically vibrant framework,' it said. Member states agreed to integrate the experiences of ASEAN 2025 into future plans, and to build a more cohesive regional identity with inclusive and equitable development.
