APHM organising largest hospital exhibition in Malaysia

 The APHM International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition will feature over 420 exhibitors, offering equipment at competitive prices.

Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Dr Kuljit Singh says the exhibition, which will be held from June 9 to 11, is timely in view of the rising global healthcare costs. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) is organising what is reputed to be the largest hospital exhibition in the country next week.

APHM president Dr Kuljit Singh said the event will feature a total of 420 exhibitors from Europe, the US, Australia and Asia.

They will be offering equipment at competitive prices, which in the long run would help in reducing the cost of private healthcare.

Kuljit said the cost of treatment at private hospitals also hinged on the latest innovations these hospitals had.

“And people all over the world are looking for cost-effective and value-added treatment.

“So this exhibition will allow private hospitals to make informed choices that can ultimately attract more health tourists,” he said when contacted, referring to the APHM International Healthcare Conference and Exhibition.

Kuljit went on to say that the exhibition, which will be held from June 9 to 11, was timely in view of the rising global healthcare costs.

He also encouraged public hospitals to attend the exhibition as they could invest in technology that was comparatively cheaper.

Kuljit expressed hope that the exhibition will solidify Malaysia’s leadership in the Asean healthcare landscape.

According to a 2024 report by RHB, Malaysia is among the top destinations for medical tourism within the region. The country took in over RM2 billion in revenue in 2023.

Kuljit said the exhibition will run concurrently with the APHM International Healthcare Conference 2025, which is set to explore six focussed tracks on healthcare challenges, including cost management and financing through evidence-based, patient-centred discussions, and collaboration between private providers and global innovators.

The exhibition and conference, which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, are jointly organised by the Reed Sinopharm Exhibitions.

It will be officiated by health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad. - FMT

UMS to get hourly reports on water tank levels to reduce disruptions

 Sabah deputy chief minister Shahelmey Yahya says this measure will help the university better manage its water pumping schedule.

Last Thursday, the Sabah water department urged UMS to enhance its water pumping system following prolonged water supply disruptions on campus. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The Sabah water department will now provide hourly water level reports for the R13 tank located at Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s (UMS) campus, according to deputy chief minister Shahelmey Yahya.

According to The Daily Express, Shahelmey said this measure would help the university better manage its water pumping schedule.

The water department and UMS’s management earlier held a site visit and discussions over the recent supply disruptions on campus.

Shahelmey said they found that although the tank was receiving sufficient water, a faulty indicator had impacted the pumping system.

The Sabah water department will send hourly updates until a new indicator is installed in the next one or two weeks, he said.

Shahelmey also said he had instructed the department to log daily supply data for May. This showed sufficient water supply to UMS since May 19.

“A temporary pump failure between May 14 and May 19 may have caused earlier issues,” he added.

Last Thursday, the Sabah water department urged UMS to enhance its water pumping system following prolonged supply disruptions on campus.

The department’s director, Chee Chun Chieh, said the R13 tank located on campus was able to supply more than the five million litres a day required by the university.

He said if the current pumps were no longer able to meet the demand, UMS should replace them with higher-capacity or more efficient units to fulfil its water needs.

Previously, deputy higher education minister Mustapha Sakmud had blamed the prolonged water disruptions at UMS on the existing tube well, which he said could only supply one million litres of water daily. - FMT

Cops record statements from 2 over British backpacker’s disappearance

 Brickfields police chief Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood says a report was lodged by the father of Jordan Johnson-Doyle.

Jordan Johnson-Doyle, 25, was last believed to be at Healy Mac’s Irish Bar in Bangsar on May 27. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Police have recorded the statements of two individuals to assist in the investigation into the case of a British man reported missing after a night out in Bangsar since May 27.

Bernama reported Brickfields police chief Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood as saying that a report was lodged by the father of Jordan Johnson-Doyle, 25.

“A thorough investigation is under way and the public is advised not to speculate on the case,” he said in a statement today.

Ku Mashariman urged anyone with information to contact Pantai police station chief Khairul Nizam Ramle at 013-7000672, the Brickfields police hotline at 03-22979222, the Kuala Lumpur police hotline at 03-21159999, or the nearest police station.

According to UK’s Daily Mail, Johnson-Doyle was on a solo tour of Southeast Asia and had been backpacking in the region.

He was believed to have gone to Healy Mac’s Irish Bar in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, for a pub quiz, based on a photo he sent to his mother, Leanne Burnett.

She added that a location check using the Find My iPhone app showed his phone last pinged at a residential building near the bar. The signal stopped three days later on May 30 when the battery is believed to have died.

Johnson-Doyle, a software engineer, had arrived in Malaysia on May 17 after travelling from Vietnam. He worked remotely while backpacking across the region, his mother said.

It is unclear where he was staying in Kuala Lumpur. - FMT

Govt to build 41ha ‘Madani City’ in Putrajaya

 The first phase, involving the construction of around 3,000 residential units and a vertical school, is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

Federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa briefing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the ‘Madani City’. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 The government plans to build a 41ha “Madani City” in Putrajaya, with the groundbreaking ceremony set for June 26.

Federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the township will be a strategic long-term development for Putrajaya and will come with 10,000 residential units to house 30,000 people.

She said its design would integrate artificial intelligence, high-efficiency digital infrastructure and a green mobility system.

“This is the foundation for a low-carbon city that upholds the principles of sustainability, welfare and public safety,” she said in a Facebook post.

Zaliha presented the township’s concept to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today, adding that it was in line with the government’s vision of making the three federal territories clean, healthy, advanced, safe and eco-friendly, or “CHASE cities”.

Separately, Anwar said the “Madani City” concept stresses on providing centralised and holistic basic facilities that would ensure the people’s welfare.

He said among the facilities being planned are a secondary school, a technical and vocational education and training institution, banks, a government clinic and a mosque.

“The first phase will involve the construction of around 3,000 residential units and a vertical school, and is expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2027,” said the prime minister. - FMT

Warisan vows to have DLP in all Sabah schools if elected to power

 Kota Kinabalu Warisan secretary Loi Kok Liang says the party will implement the dual language programme so that Mathematics and Science are taught in English.

Sabah recorded the second-lowest score among Malaysian states in the EF English Proficiency Index.

PETALING JAYA:

 Warisan has pledged to implement the dual language programme (DLP) so that Mathematics and Science are taught in English throughout Sabah if it is elected to form the state government.

Kota Kinabalu Warisan secretary Loi Kok Liang said the party would make the DLP a core education policy and implement it comprehensively if it is returned to power.

“In today’s globalised world, we cannot let the next generation of Sabahans to be left behind.

“English is not just about personal development. It is a cornerstone of national competitiveness,” Loi said in a statement.

He noted that Perak had made visible progress in English proficiency, emerging as the most English-proficient state in the country, according to the 2024 EF English Proficiency Index.

The EF English Proficiency Index evaluates the skills of adults in the language in over 100 countries. Perak had the highest score of 585 among Malaysian states, followed by Kedah and Penang, with 583 points each.

Sabah recorded the second-lowest score among Malaysian states with 553, while Melaka ranked last with 550.

Loi said Sabah must not be content with merely observing others but must act decisively to move forward.

The party also intends to regularly monitor the implementation of the DLP programme. It also wants to integrate English use into the workplace in the tourism and services sectors.

Loi said for real educational reforms to take place, Sabah must reclaim authority over its education policies.

“Warisan therefore pledges to re-establish the Sabah education ministry, empowering local experts to craft policies that reflect Sabah’s unique context and multicultural needs.”

The state education ministry was abolished in 2020, when the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah government took over the administration of the state.

Since then, education matters in Sabah have been subject to federal jurisdiction.

In May 2023, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said granting Sabah and Sarawak administrative authority in education and health was one of the important matters discussed by Putrajaya’s Malaysia Agreement 1963 secretariat. - FMT

Domestic trade ministry’s LPG cylinder operation explained

 No legal action is being taken against F&B operators at present and the feedback from stakeholders will be considered in reviewing the 2021 regulation.

From Armizan Mohd Ali

Op Gasak is being carried out from May 1 to Oct 31 with the main focus on combating illegal decanting, smuggling and use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders by large- and medium-sized industries.

The legal authority for Op Gasak is derived from the Control of Supplies Act 1961, Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011, and the Control of Supplies Regulations (Amendment) 2021 or PPKB (Amendment) 2021.

No new policies or regulations are being introduced, and there are certainly no cuts or abolition of LPG subsidies, as alleged by certain parties.

Certain issues have arisen with the implementation and enforcement of PPKB (Amendment) 2021 involving certain business sectors, specifically the food and beverage (F&B) industry.

For that reason, inspections at F&B premises under Op Gasak are currently focussed on compliance checks and advocacy. No legal action is being taken against these F&B businesses.

Once the operation concludes, a report on Op Gasak will serve as one of the key references for reviewing the relevance of the PPKB (Amendment) 2021, in relation to LPG cylinders.

Since Op Gasak commenced on May 1, a technical committee chaired by the domestic trade and cost of living ministry secretary-general was formed to look into the matter.

In addition to the Op Gasak report, recommendations and views from various stakeholders will be considered before any proposals are brought to the Cabinet.

Under the previous government, amendments were made in 2021 to the Control of Supplies Regulations. One of the amended provisions fixed a limit on the use of LPG cylinders for trade or business purposes.

Specifically, the PPKB (Amendment) 2021 states that any business using over 42kg of LPG at any one time requires an application for a scheduled controlled goods permit.

This means that any party using more than 42kg (that is more than three of the 14kg cylinders, normally used by domestic users) must apply for a permit and cannot use subsidised LPG cylinders.

This amendment has been in force since Oct 15, 2021.

There are views that the 2021 regulations have impacted business costs for F&B traders, which in turn could affect their prices if they are not allowed to use subsidised cylinders.

The underlying basis of the LPG subsidy is that it is a household consumption subsidy, not one intended for trade or commercial use.

However, current regulations allow the use of up to 42kg at any one time without requiring a permit.

F&B traders have expressed the need to use more than three subsidised LPG cylinders at once.

If this need of theirs is to be considered, amendments to the 2021 regulations — specifically to the 42kg limit — will become necessary.

We must also take into account other factors, such as the limit on subsidised cylinders per business and the type and scale of the business (micro, small, medium or large).

Moreover, if food prices and cost of living are cited as justifications, the prices charged by these businesses should also be examined.

For example, one trader sells chicken rice at RM8 per plate, while another sells it for over RM20. This is a big price difference despite both of them benefitting from the same LPG subsidy.

A very important factor to consider is the financial implication on government allocations, which are public funds.

For instance, the estimated subsidy for a business using five LPG cylinders a day is RM6,510 per month, based on RM43.40 in subsidy per cylinder. For a business using 10 cylinders daily, the monthly subsidy totals RM13,020 (300 cylinders/month).

At the same time, monitoring mechanisms such as the requirement for scheduled goods permits are crucial.

Based on the ministry’s enforcement, there is a risk of decanting from subsidised supplies to businesses when there is no record-keeping or sale limits in place for verification.

Decanting refers to the illegal transfer of LPG from subsidised cylinders to non-subsidised ones for commercial resale below market price, including for smuggling abroad.

All these considerations, together with the recommendations and views of various parties, will be taken into account to determine whether the PPKB (Amendment) 2021 should be revised.

If amendments are deemed necessary, the parameters and scope of the amendments must be carefully determined.

Therefore, the Op Gasak report is a key reference point in charting the way forward for improving the 2021 regulations. - FMT

Armizan Mohd Ali is the domestic trade and cost of living minister.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.