PM launches National Unity Action Plan
The National Unity Action Plan (2021-30) will benefit the Malaysian Family through various programmes that will involve every level of society, says the Prime Minister. Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said they comprised the education, economic, welfare, socio-culture, science, technology and innovation sectors. He said the action plan was an effort to reimpose the initial goal of uniting Malaysians as embedded in the five principles of Rukun Negara. A total of 57 programmes will be implemented under the plan to achieve five strategic cores, namely preserving the democratic constitutional monarchy, shaping a society that appreciates and practises unity, empowering a fair and just socio- economy, guaranteeing openness and tolerance towards religious and cultural differences, and building a progressive society through science, technology and innovation. The Prime Minister also launched Kami@Pelan Perpaduan Keluarga Malaysia (2021-25), a comprehensive plan that aims to build national integration, at the event. Kami stands for karib (intimacy), aksesibilti (accessibility), majmuk (diversity) and inklusiviti (inclusivity). (The Star)
‘Be alert against new variant’
Proactive and preventive measures against Covid-19 need to be heightened to prevent a new threat from the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, say health experts. The new coronavirus variant, first detected in South Africa on Nov 9, was classified as a variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organisation on Friday. Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Dr Koh Kar Chai said Malaysia should be cautious with the new variant which has already been detected in Europe and Asia. Early evidence suggested that the Omicron variant had a higher reinfection risk. The Health Ministry had on Friday announced that Malaysians had been banned from travelling to seven African countries following the emergence of the new variant. Foreigners with a history of travel to South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe over the past 14 days would not be allowed to enter Malaysia. (The Star)
Govt yet to decide on booster shot requirement for ‘Fully Vaccinated’ status, says Khairy
The government has yet to decide on whether to make Covid-19 booster shots a condition for individuals to be considered fully vaccinated, says Khairy Jamaluddin. The Health Minister said the Health Ministry was currently conducting a study based on the experience of other countries which had made booster shots a condition for complete vaccination. Khairy said currently, the government still recognised as fully-vaccinated individuals those who have received two doses of the AstraZeneca, Sinovac and Pfizer vaccine and with no health problems. However, he stressed that Malaysia could face a new wave of Covid-19 infections if the administration of booster doses was not accelerated. “If the coverage for booster doses is not as high as that of the first and second doses, the number of cases, hospitalisation rate and deaths will increase,” he said. (The Star)
Survey finds 81% of Malaysian workers want to return to office
Eighty-one per cent Malaysian office workers said they would prefer to return to the office, according to a recent survey published by Savills. The survey entitled “What Workers Want – Malaysia” found that while the hybrid working model appears to have become a mainstay in Malaysia for the foreseeable future, more than 90% of the respondents believe that matters such as creativity and collaboration, meeting work targets and achieving career growth, are best met in the office environment. Savills Malaysia deputy managing director Nabeel Hussain said with Malaysia coming out of a two-year pandemic, businesses were also beginning to open up. Thus, he said the physical office remains vital in business recovery and in ensuring an expedited return to normalcy. “Many Malaysians still see the physical office playing an important role, especially for professional growth and collaborative work,” it said. However, the survey findings on productivity key parameters show that workers in Malaysia think their productivity is the same whether working from home or in the office, as opposed to in Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) where workers think they are more productive at home. (NST Online)
Newly-completed Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal to create new sea VTL with Singapore
The newly-completed Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal (DCFT) is hoped to create a new sea-borne Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Malaysia and Singapore in the future, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. The Transport Minister said the VTL programme by land and air between Malaysia and Singapore will begin on Monday (Nov 29), so the next expansion of the VTL program will be by sea. “The ferry terminal building has been completed and the Immigration counter is expected to be operational next month,” he said in a Facebook post. He added that the DCFT is planned to bring tourists from Singapore and Indonesia to Malaysia via ferry. Desaru Ferry Sdn Bhd is in talks with ferry operators to apply from the Marine Department of Malaysia (JLM) and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The approval process is expected to take two to three months. (The Star)
Bahasa Melayu still relevant as world’s 10th most popular language, says PM
Malaysians should be proud that Bahasa Melayu is not only still being used internationally, but is ranked the 10th most popular language in the world, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. He said currently there are more than 6,000 languages still in use, but only 20 languages, including Bahasa Melayu, are categorised and recognised as official languages. The Prime Minister, meanwhile, rebuked the current ‘trend’, which saw programmes conducted by the private sector and even some government-linked companies and government agencies that did not use Bahasa Melayu. “Government agency and GLC meetings also use English. In fact, the use of non-Bahasa Melayu names for companies, housing projects and product brands has become commonplace. I hope every conference, meeting and other events uses Bahasa Melayu from now on,” he said. (Malay Mail)
