Complacency must not hamper education reforms, says Anwar

 The prime minister calls for continued efforts to improve the quality of the national education system.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the National Education Council’s first meeting of the year today. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the “culture of complacency” within the country’s education system should not impede reforms.

In a Facebook post, he said the National Education Council was formed to drive comprehensive reforms in the country’s education system and to ensure that it keeps up with current demands, including through improvements to content and curriculum.

“A culture of complacency with the existing system must not hinder progress,” he said.

“More importantly, there must be readiness to change, the courage to reform, and a continued commitment to improving the quality of the national education system.”

Anwar said the council would also play a role in strengthening English proficiency as a second language without neglecting Malaysia’s values, culture, morals and the national language.

Anwar, who chaired the National Education Council’s first meeting of the year tonight, said it discussed the direction of the nation’s education across all levels.

He said discussions focused on efforts to elevate the quality of education at the district level, empower the Bumiputera education agenda, as well as build a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent pipeline to meet the future needs of the country.

“The nation’s education must be evaluated objectively, guided by the views and expertise of various parties to ensure that every step taken truly prepares the future generation,” he said. - FMT

4 MRSM students expelled over Muar bullying incident

 Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki says two other students have been suspended from school until police complete their investigation.

Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the parents of the boys picked them up this morning after the MRSM disciplinary committee convened and decided to expel them over the bullying case. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR:

Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has confirmed that four out of six students from a Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) in Johor have been expelled for their involvement in a bullying case.

In a Facebook post, Asyraf said that the decision was made after the college disciplinary committee convened a meeting today.

He added that the other two students have been suspended from school pending the outcome of police investigations to determine whether they were also involved in the bullying.

“Only God knows how I felt when the six students were picked up by their respective parents this morning after the MRSM disciplinary committee convened and decided to expel them over the bullying case.

“However, repeated warnings have been given: #YouTouchYouGo,” he said.

In the same post, Asyraf said junior students alleged to have brought prohibited items into the school were also being investigated.

“Whatever wrongdoing committed by the juniors can never justify the bullying by taking matters into one’s own hands to punish other students.

“Regardless, I would also like to express my gratitude and appreciation to the Mara secondary education division and the college disciplinary committee for taking swift action by conducting an investigation and holding a meeting within 24 hours as per my instructions,” he said.

On Sunday, police detained six 17-year-old male students to assist in investigations regarding a bullying case involving a 14-year-old male student at an MRSM in Muar last month. - FMT

No ‘backdoor’ roles for defeated BN candidates, insists Onn Hafiz

 The Johor state assembly passed a constitutional amendment bill on May 7 allowing for the appointment of five unelected assemblymen.

Johor BN chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi said BN candidates who failed to secure a mandate from voters at the July 11 state polls must accept the outcome and won’t be made leaders in the state government. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates who lose in the Johor state election will not be appointed assemblymen or hold any state government positions, Johor BN chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi said today.

Onn Hafiz, the caretaker Johor menteri besar, said candidates who failed to secure a mandate from voters at the July 11 state polls must accept the outcome wholeheartedly, reported Kosmo!

“I want to reiterate that there will be no ‘backdoor’ appointments to allow losing candidates to be made leaders in the state government, as claimed by certain irresponsible parties.

“If a candidate loses, they lose. If the people do not accept them, BN will respect the voice of the people,” he said at the launch of the BN election machinery for the Kemelah and Pemanis state constituencies.

Onn Hafiz said BN’s stance was important to ensure the coalition continued to be seen as a party that respected the people’s mandate and maintained voters’ trust.

The Johor state assembly passed a constitutional amendment bill on May 7 allowing for the appointment of five unelected assemblymen, increasing the total number of state representatives to 61.

Johor is the fourth state to have appointed assemblymen, after Sabah, Terengganu and Pahang. - FMT

Ninja Mart expands support for traditional retailers amid evolving retail landscape

 

NINJA Mart is strengthening support for Malaysia’s traditional retail sector through a hybrid model that combines digital tools, logistics capabilities and on-the-ground assistance, as neighbourhood grocery stores continue to play an important role in communities nationwide.

The business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform currently supports more than 16,000 active retail outlets across general trade, modern trade, petrol marts and hospitality channels, helping brands expand their reach while simplifying day-to-day operations for retailers.

Speaking during a media session at Al-Amin Fresh Mart in Kampung Kuantan, Klang, Ninja Mart Malaysia country head Denise Ang said traditional retailers remain an important part of the country’s retail ecosystem despite growing competition from modern retail formats and e-commerce platforms.

“The future of general trade will depend on practical solutions that reflect how traditional retailers actually operate,” she said.

“Kedai runcit owners are more than just retailers. They are part of the communities they serve and understand the daily needs of their customers in a way that is deeply local and relationship-driven.”

According to Ang, brands face challenges in reaching and servicing Malaysia’s highly fragmented retail landscape, which comprises thousands of independently operated stores across urban, suburban and rural communities.

For retailers, meanwhile, common operational challenges include managing inventory, coordinating deliveries, handling returns and maintaining product availability while operating with limited resources.

Ninja Mart’s platform combines app-based ordering, sales support, logistics services and field teams to help retailers manage product sourcing, delivery coordination, enquiries, returns and claims.

Ang said the company’s approach aims to address the needs of both brands and retailers.

“For brands, the challenge is not just about reaching more stores. It is about reaching them consistently, efficiently and with better visibility,” she continued.

“For retailers, the need is more practical — easier ordering, reliable support, access to relevant products and help in managing everyday store operations.”

The initiative comes as Malaysia’s retail sector continues to grow. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, retail trade sales reached RM71 billion in April 2026, representing a 6.3% year-on-year increase.

Government initiatives such as Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA), which aims to expand participation among small grocery retailers to 10,000 outlets by the end of 2026, have also reinforced the role of neighbourhood stores in providing access to essential goods.

As consumer behaviour and retail channels continue to evolve, Ninja Mart said traditional retailers will remain a key component of Malaysia’s retail landscape, particularly in communities where convenience, proximity and trust continue to influence purchasing decisions. ‒  Focus  Malaysia

More than cars: Lessons in loyalty from Malaysia’s motoring pioneers

 

I READ with interest reports that Federal Auto Holdings Bhd (FAHB) is celebrating its 66th anniversary this month with special promotions for Volvo buyers, including discounts and opportunities to win holiday packages to beach resorts around Malaysia.

The milestone brought back memories of my early years in Malaysia’s automotive industry, at a time when many of the country’s pioneering vehicle distributors were laying the foundations for what would become a major sector of the economy.

Federal Auto Company Limited was established in Penang in 1960 as the sole distributor of Volvo vehicles in Peninsular Malaysia. In 1967, it partnered with AB Volvo to establish one of the country’s earliest vehicle assembly operations in Shah Alam.

A former classmate joined Swedish Motor Assemblies Sdn Bhd shortly after finishing secondary school in 1968.

He spent his entire career with the company and retired decades later with a brand-new Volvo as a farewell gift, a testament to the loyalty that once characterised many employer-employee relationships.

My own association with Federal Auto began in 1969 when I worked at its workshop and parts centre along Old Klang Road. Before that, I had spent two months as an apprentice at Champion Motors, then the sole distributor of Volkswagen, Audi and Rover vehicles in Malaysia.

Looking back, changing jobs may have saved my life.

Champion Motors’ showroom was located along Jalan Campbell, now Jalan Dang Wangi, an area that became one of the focal points during the May 13 riots in 1969.

Had I remained there, I might have found myself caught up in the violence. Instead, I was working at Old Klang Road and living with colleagues in a nearby terrace house.

Later that year, I joined Tan Chong & Sons Motor Co Ltd as a workshop receptionist. Having completed a diploma in automobile engineering through distance learning with the British Institute of Engineering Technology, I was determined to build a career in the automotive sector.

In those days, salaries were modest, but opportunities were plentiful. Tan Chong’s workshop then operated from a large shed behind its Jalan Ipoh headquarters before later relocating to Segambut as its assembly operations expanded.

In 1973, I moved to a wholly owned subsidiary of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Berhad and spent the next 19 years in the tourism industry. Even after leaving the company, the relationships forged over the years endured.

These experiences remind me that the success of long-established companies is built not only on products and brands, but also on the people who contribute to their growth over decades.

Employees, customers and business partners all play a role in shaping a company’s reputation and legacy.

As Federal Auto celebrates 66 years in business, it has an opportunity to recognise not only current customers but also the generations of staff and loyal supporters who helped build the company over the years.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, heritage remains a valuable asset. Companies that remember their history, appreciate loyalty and maintain meaningful relationships with customers and employees are often the ones that leave the most lasting legacy. 

YS Chan is a tourism, transport and training consultant.

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

- Focus Malaysia

If Malaysia is one nation, why has there never been an East Malaysian prime minister?

 

WHEN I first realised that no Sabahan or Sarawakian has ever become Malaysia’s prime minister, I paused to reflect.

There is no constitutional provision preventing it. Yet more than six decades after the formation of Malaysia, the country’s highest political office has remained firmly in Peninsular Malaysia.

This is not a question of entitlement or regional favouritism. Rather, it is a question worth asking in a federation that prides itself on unity and partnership.

Sabah and Sarawak are often described as equal partners in the Malaysian federation. Both states have contributed significantly to the nation’s development through their natural resources, economic activities and strategic importance.

Their Members of Parliament (MPs) have also become increasingly influential in recent years, often playing a decisive role in determining which coalition forms the federal government.

Every election cycle, political leaders travel to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching seeking support. Following closely contested elections, East Malaysian parties frequently emerge as key players in coalition negotiations.

Yet while leaders from Sabah and Sarawak may help decide who becomes prime minister, none has ever held the office themselves.

To be clear, this is not an argument that Malaysia should have an East Malaysian prime minister simply for the sake of geography. Leadership positions should be earned through competence, experience and the confidence of Parliament, not allocated according to region.

However, the absence of any prime minister from Sabah or Sarawak after more than 60 years naturally invites reflection. Is it merely a coincidence of political circumstances, or does it reflect deeper assumptions about who is considered suitable to lead the nation?

A mature democracy should be open to leadership from every part of the country. A capable and respected leader from Kota Kinabalu or Kuching should be judged by the same standards as a leader from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru or Penang.

This matters because representation is about more than symbolism. It shapes how citizens view their place within the nation.

Young Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak are told that opportunities should be available to all regardless of where they come from. The same principle should apply to political leadership.

Malaysia often speaks of national unity, shared destiny and equal partnership. These ideals are important, but they must be reflected not only in speeches and celebrations, but also in the opportunities available within the country’s political system.

Perhaps the more relevant question is not whether Malaysia should have an East Malaysian prime minister. It is whether Malaysians are prepared to consider one when the right candidate emerges.

If Sabah and Sarawak are truly equal partners in the federation, then no political office should be regarded as permanently beyond the reach of their citizens. Leadership should ultimately be determined by merit, capability and parliamentary support, not by geography.

More than six decades after Malaysia’s formation, that is a conversation worth having. 

KT Maran is a Focus Malaysia viewer.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT

- Focus Malaysia.