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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
PM: Sekolah Angkat Madani goes beyond mere CSR
PUTRAJAYA: The public-private collaboration under the Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative goes beyond conventional corporate social responsibility (CSR), but reflects a deeper commitment to compassion and nation-building. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the initiative, joined by four government-linked investment companies (GLICs), namely Yayasan Sime Darby, Yayasan Petronas, Yayasan UEM and Yayasan TM, aims to uplift educational opportunities for underserved communities. The initiative, he said, reflects a shared commitment among various stakeholders towards advancing a more inclusive and compassionate national agenda, as corporations, civil servants and local communities join forces to strengthen education in selected schools across the country. "This collaboration goes beyond CSR. We are talking about compassion when they take on the responsibility to build this nation together and ensure that no one is left behind. "There is no point in talking purely about impressive growth and investment figures if we choose to neglect the poor and the marginalised. "We want to see large companies going to schools, engaging with students, introducing themselves, and inspiring these young minds with the meaning of success and how education can change their lives. "This, to me, is a remarkable feat, and could only happen with the full support of ministries, particularly the Education Ministry, the Public Service Department and our committed teachers," he said in his keynote address during the launch of the initiative today. Present were Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. The initiative is a continuation of the government's commitment to driving a whole-of-nation approach to narrow the education gap. The initiative focuses on five core pillars, namely improving school infrastructure and facilities; academic and student mentoring programmes; teacher training and professional development; financial aid and scholarships; as well as character-building and skills development initiatives. To date, around 1,000 schools nationwide have been selected to participate in the programme, with the involvement and support of 32 private companies, 29 government-linked companies (GLCs) and GLICs, 29 government agencies, and 27 companies owned by the Minister of Finance (Incorporated). The initiative is also being implemented in collaboration with the Education Ministry, alongside the Finance Ministry, focusing on addressing fundamental school needs such as toilet repairs, provision of science labs, academic mentoring, and student character development. Anwar said the original concept began with Kampung Angkat Madani, which provided funding of up to RM100,000 for each village. The concept was later expanded to schools, following an overwhelming response from corporate and GLC stakeholders, he said. "From the initial 300 schools, we increased the number to 500. Now, we have managed to reach over 1,000 schools, thanks to the encouraging response from many large, responsible companies. "As such, I would like to thank the chief secretary (Shamsul Azri) and the teachers for embracing this initiative. "Teachers have not only accepted it, but are also open and willing to adopt new approaches for the benefit of their students," he said. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, urged corporate leaders who contribute to the initiative to personally visit their adopted schools at least twice a year to motivate and directly engage with the students. "If chief executive officers and general managers come down, introduce themselves, and speak about their company's operations, the children will be inspired. "We want students in rural schools to know that they, too, have the right to dream big," he said. Anwar also acknowledged that educational challenges remain in remote areas, including issues related to basic facilities, student attendance, teacher availability, and infrastructure maintenance. He expressed hope that close cooperation between the government, corporate sector, and communities could be strengthened to ensure no one is left behind in the national education development agenda. "This is the true spirit of Madani. We build the nation not just with investment figures and profits, but with hearts full of responsibility and love for the future of our children."
The Sun
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Whistleblowers get protection if rules are followed: MACC
KUALA LUMPUR: Individuals who report information about misconduct directly to enforcement agencies and meet the prescribed criteria and conditions will be granted protection as informants or whistleblowers. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Senior Director (Legal and Prosecution Division) Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said this is an important aspect the public needs to understand, apart from not being able to disclose the information to the public. He said that although the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 protects informants against improper retaliation, such protection is only applicable if reports are made through legal procedures to enforcement agencies such as the MACC, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) or relevant government agencies. 'There's a misconception that anyone with information about misconduct can automatically seek protection as a whistleblower. In reality, it's not that simple. 'A common misunderstanding is the belief that informants can publicly disclose information, for example, to the media or on social media, before officially applying for protection. This is incorrect,' he told Bernama. He said that in order to qualify for whistleblower protection, a report must also be made in good faith and not be driven by personal motives such as revenge or defamation. Additionally, the whistleblower must not be involved in the offence being reported, he added. Citing Section 11(1) of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, he said, protection can be revoked if the whistleblower is found to have participated in the misconduct they exposed. 'This provision is crucial to maintaining the integrity of whistleblowers and to prevent the misuse of protected status as a shield against offences they have committed,' he said. Wan Shaharuddin said that while the law provides legal protection, whistleblowers still face various challenges, including being labelled ass 'complainants' or 'traitors', fears of retaliation and discrimination, and a general lack of public understanding about the legal process for applying for protection. In efforts to encourage more individuals, especially civil servants, to report corruption cases, he said, the government has introduced cash incentives and official recognition for those who report corruption to the MACC since 2011. He shared that as of last year, 514 civil servants had received rewards totalling over RM1 million, with the highest individual reward amounting to RM100,000. In addition, Wan Shaharuddin said that to further enhance whistleblower protection, the government had tabled the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat on March 6. 'The amendment aims to strengthen protection for whistleblowers who report misconduct, particularly in cases of corruption within both the public and private sectors. It is expected to provide more comprehensive protection to whistleblowers, including protection from harmful actions and immunity from civil or criminal action. 'This amendment is hoped to encourage more individuals to come forward to report misconduct without fear,' he said.
The Sun
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Understand procedures for whistleblowers' protection , information cannot be made public
KUALA LUMPUR: Individuals who report information about misconduct directly to enforcement agencies and meet the prescribed criteria and conditions will be granted protection as informants or whistleblowers. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Senior Director (Legal and Prosecution Division) Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said this is an important aspect the public needs to understand, apart from not being able to disclose the information to the public. He said that although the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 protects informants against improper retaliation, such protection is only applicable if reports are made through legal procedures to enforcement agencies such as the MACC, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) or relevant government agencies. 'There's a misconception that anyone with information about misconduct can automatically seek protection as a whistleblower. In reality, it's not that simple. 'A common misunderstanding is the belief that informants can publicly disclose information, for example, to the media or on social media, before officially applying for protection. This is incorrect,' he told Bernama. He said that in order to qualify for whistleblower protection, a report must also be made in good faith and not be driven by personal motives such as revenge or defamation. Additionally, the whistleblower must not be involved in the offence being reported, he added. Citing Section 11(1) of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, he said, protection can be revoked if the whistleblower is found to have participated in the misconduct they exposed. 'This provision is crucial to maintaining the integrity of whistleblowers and to prevent the misuse of protected status as a shield against offences they have committed,' he said. Wan Shaharuddin said that while the law provides legal protection, whistleblowers still face various challenges, including being labelled ass 'complainants' or 'traitors', fears of retaliation and discrimination, and a general lack of public understanding about the legal process for applying for protection. In efforts to encourage more individuals, especially civil servants, to report corruption cases, he said, the government has introduced cash incentives and official recognition for those who report corruption to the MACC since 2011. He shared that as of last year, 514 civil servants had received rewards totalling over RM1 million, with the highest individual reward amounting to RM100,000. In addition, Wan Shaharuddin said that to further enhance whistleblower protection, the government had tabled the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat on March 6. 'The amendment aims to strengthen protection for whistleblowers who report misconduct, particularly in cases of corruption within both the public and private sectors. It is expected to provide more comprehensive protection to whistleblowers, including protection from harmful actions and immunity from civil or criminal action. 'This amendment is hoped to encourage more individuals to come forward to report misconduct without fear,' he said.
The Star
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Star
MACC: Whistleblowers must not publicise information to be disclosed if seeking protection
KUALA LUMPUR: Only those who fulfil set conditions when reporting information about misconduct will be granted protection as informants or whistleblowers, says the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Its senior director (legal and prosecution division) Datuk Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin said this is an important aspect the public needs to understand. He said that although the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 protects informants against improper retaliation, such protection is only applicable if reports are made through legal procedures to enforcement agencies such as the MACC, the police or relevant government agencies. "There's a misconception that anyone with information about misconduct can automatically seek protection as a whistleblower. In reality, it's not that simple. "A common misunderstanding is the belief that informants can publicly disclose information, for example, to the media or on social media, before officially applying for protection. This is incorrect," he told Bernama. He said that in order to qualify for whistleblower protection, a report must also be made in good faith and not be driven by personal motives such as revenge or defamation. Additionally, the whistleblower must not be involved in the offence being reported, he added. Citing Section 11(1) of the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010, he said, protection can be revoked if the whistleblower is found to have participated in the misconduct they exposed. "This provision is crucial to maintaining the integrity of whistleblowers and to prevent the misuse of protected status as a shield against offences they have committed," he said. Wan Shaharuddin said that while the law provides legal protection, whistleblowers still face various challenges, including being labelled ass 'complainants' or 'traitors', fears of retaliation and discrimination, and a general lack of public understanding about the legal process for applying for protection. He said in an effort to encourage more individuals, especially civil servants, to report corruption cases, the government had introduced cash incentives and official recognition for those who report corruption to the MACC since 2011. He said as of 2024, 514 civil servants had received rewards totalling over RM1mil, with the highest individual reward amounting to RM100,000. In addition, Wan Shaharuddin said that to further enhance whistleblower protection, the government tabled the Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat on March 6. "The amendment aims to strengthen protection for whistleblowers who report misconduct, particularly in cases of corruption within both the public and private sectors. It is expected to provide more comprehensive protection to whistleblowers, including protection from harmful actions and immunity from civil or criminal action. "This amendment is hoped to encourage more individuals to come forward to report misconduct without fear," he said. – Bernama
Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Debt reduction key to investor confidence, says Anwar
Published on: Friday, June 20, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 20, 2025 By: Anne Muhammad, FMT Reporters Text Size: Putrajaya brought the deficit down from 5.5% in 2022 to 5% in 2023, and 4.1% last year. PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today reiterated the government's commitment to gradually reducing the national debt while ensuring continued development and investor confidence. Speaking at the finance ministry's monthly assembly in Putrajaya, Anwar said continuous efforts had been made since 2022 to bring down the country's fiscal deficit from 5.5% to the latest projection of 3.8% this year. Advertisement 'Some people ask why we are so focused on reducing it. They say we should just give more to the people. But without this effort, there will be no (investor) confidence,' he said. Anwar, who is also finance minister, added that investor confidence would translate to investments, which could help raise the national revenue, provide job opportunities, and contribute to the nation's overall development. Putrajaya brought the deficit down from 5.5% in 2022 to 5% in 2023, and 4.1% last year. The Treasury had said this would slow the growth of the national debt with a drop in new government borrowings each year, from nearly RM100 billion in 2022 to RM92.6 billion in 2023, and around RM77 billion last year. Advertisement Anwar also dismissed claims that the government's debt reduction efforts had compromised public welfare, saying the approach should be seen as a long-term strategy. 'Since we took over, the debt has been reduced by RM20 billion. 'It's like someone inheriting a company after his father passes away. The company owes RM50,000. The son can't be expected to settle the debt in a year – it has to be done in stages,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
