BY ERDA KHURSYIAH BASIR
KUALA LUMPUR: Having led the nation for just two years, the MADANI government under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim might still be considered “green”, but several changes and reforms are already visible, particularly in the governance, political, economic and social spheres.
Seen as breathing new life into the nation’s governance by strengthening the principles of justice, equity and well-being of the people through an inclusive and progressive approach, some experts regard the MADANI government’s performance within this short period as commendable based on its current achievements.
Citing corruption as an example, political analyst Prof Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed said the government under Anwar’s leadership has prioritised addressing the issue, with results already evident through several arrests and prosecutions, including high-profile cases.
“Regardless of whether they are from the elite or are civil servants or ordinary persons, if investigations find them involved (in corrupt activities), they will be brought to justice without double standards. When the government takes corruption seriously, we see an increase in arrests of those involved, including civil servants.
“As long as corruption remains a practice and culture, whether in the public or private sector, issues such as leakages, wastage and, ultimately, losses to society and the nation will persist,” he told Bernama recently.
Corruption Perceptions Index
Ahmad Martadha, who is also Universiti Utara Malaysia deputy vice-chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs), said the fight against corruption not only boosts public trust in the government but also enhances confidence among foreign investors, encouraging them to invest in Malaysia.
He noted that Malaysia’s improving position in global corruption rankings serves as a benchmark for foreign investors and other nations to consider investing in Malaysia.
According to the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International Malaysia in January, the country scored 50 points in 2023, an improvement from 47 points the previous year.
This progress helped Malaysia climb to the 57th position in the 2023 CPI, up from 61st in 2022.
The MADANI government, among other reforms, decided to place the selection process for filling the vacancy of the Chief Judge of Malaya under the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). This move is seen as a step towards mitigating criticism of executive interference in such appointments.
Another significant improvement Ahmad Martadha noted was the reduction in political appointments within government agencies, boards and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), a move which has helped to enhance governance and minimise political interference in administrative matters.
Touching on the implementation of the new Public Service Remuneration System, set to take effect this December, he said it not only resolves the long-overdue issue of salary adjustments for civil servants but, more importantly, aims to boost productivity and enforce stricter action against underperforming personnel.
“The MADANI government has also introduced various forms of assistance to alleviate the effects of the rising cost of living, alongside more targeted subsidies to ensure that only genuinely deserving groups, particularly the B40 segment, benefit from them.
“The government has also started to pay attention to the M40 group, which has often been overlooked despite facing financial constraints, especially those living in major urban areas like Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru who also bear the brunt of rising living costs.
“The government is also reviewing the definition of the T15 income group, considering that the current threshold of approximately RM13,000, as set by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, is deemed too low,” he said.
Political Stability, Cybersecurity
Opining that maintaining political stability is one of the primary challenges faced by the MADANI government, Ahmad Martadha warned that failure to uphold stability could undermine foreign investor confidence and, consequently, weaken the nation’s economic foundation.
He also said the government must, among other things, increase job opportunities by addressing unemployment issues, particularly among the younger generation including university graduates who are either unemployed or involved in jobs unrelated to their qualifications.
This will prevent the nation from incurring losses in terms of human resource utilisation, he added.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Cyber Consumers Association (MCCA) president Siraj Jalil observed that the MADANI government is actively implementing improvements to address the country’s cybersecurity challenges. Among these efforts is the amendment to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (Act 709) to strengthen the protection of Malaysians’ personal data.
Apart from that, the ‘Jelajah Anti Scam Kebangsaan 2024’ programme, spearheaded by CyberSecurity Malaysia and supported by NGOs such as MCCA and Yayasan Digital Malaysia, is being conducted in states like Johor and Kedah to raise public awareness about online scams and preventive measures.
“The government has also enacted the Cybersecurity Act 2024 (Act 854) under the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA). This act, which came into force on Aug 26 (this year), aims to enhance the nation’s cybersecurity by establishing the National Cyber Security Committee and regulating cybersecurity service providers through licensing. It will also assign responsibility to designated sector leaders to improve national cybersecurity governance,” he said.
Acknowledging the increasing complexity and frequency of cyberattacks, Siraj stressed the need for the government to continuously update its cybersecurity strategies and technologies. He called for ongoing collaboration among government entities, the private sector, media, NGOs and the public to create a robust cybersecurity environment.
According to a MyCERT report, there was a 13 percent rise in cybersecurity incidents in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, with a total of 1,307 incidents reported. Global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reported that in 2023, its tracking system blocked 26.85 million ‘Internet-borne’ attacks in Malaysia, averaging 74,000 attacks per day.
“Public awareness remains low, with many segments of society still indifferent to cyber risks, underscoring the need for more aggressive awareness campaigns,” Siraj said.
He added that the amendments to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, the implementation of the Cybersecurity Act 2024, the proposed Online Security Bill and the government’s decision to adopt a regulatory or licensing framework for social media and Internet messaging services starting Jan 1 demonstrate the MADANI government’s commitment to ensuring the country’s cybersecurity.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil had previously said the Online Security Bill was being introduced to address gaps or lacunae in the law, particularly the lack of a precise definition of crimes such as bullying, including cyberbullying.
Tvet Policy
Sharing his views, National Organisation of Skilled Workers (Belia Mahir) president Mohammad Rizan Hassan said technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Malaysia has experienced positive growth over the past two years.
He attributed this progress to the MADANI government’s commitment to advancing skill development and promoting vocational education, which has led to significant achievements in the sector.
He said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in his capacity as National TVET Council chairman, is committed to shaping the TVET landscape to produce competitive local talent and improve the status and quality of TVET programmes.
He said in June this year, the Prime Minister launched the National TVET Policy 2030, which aims to align TVET with industry demands, update curricula to meet current market needs and enhance the quality of teaching and training.
“Collaboration with industry partners has provided students with real-world, relevant experiences, ensuring they are well-prepared for the job market. Furthermore, the emphasis on practical skills and hands-on training has boosted the employability of TVET graduates, leading to greater demand for skilled workers across various sectors,” he said.
Commenting on a recent announcement by the Ministry of Education that TVET elements would be introduced in primary schools starting from Year One through the 2027 school curriculum, Mohammad Rizan said this is a strategic approach to fostering interest in high-skilled vocational fields from an early age.
“TVET encompasses a variety of educational programmes that equip students with practical skills, knowledge and attitudes essential for various industries and occupations.
“At the primary school level, TVET training should be designed to introduce students to basic vocational concepts and practical experiences, sparking their interest in specialised fields. This training provides a platform for students to explore their talents, develop critical thinking skills and gain exposure to potential career pathways,” he said.
Mohammad Rizan also lauded the Deputy Prime Minister’s announcement to establish the Malaysia-China Institute, describing it as timely, given China’s status as a leading global force in TVET.
“To date, the Malaysia-China Youth TVET Training initiative, mobilised by Belia Mahir, has sent 1,776 TVET talents to China for specialised training in various fields.
“China has made remarkable strides in TVET, positioning itself as a global leader in developing skilled individuals across multiple industries. China’s success in nurturing skilled professionals can be attributed to its diverse strategies and approaches,” he added.
As part of the ‘Two Years of MADANI Government Programme’ (2TM) and the 2024 National Convention on Public Service Reform, testimonials and achievements of ministries and agencies will be showcased to the public.
The programme, which runs from Nov 22 to 24 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday. – Bernama
