07/05/2025

WEDNESDAY | MAY 7, 2025

3

‘Avoid year-end spending sprees in civil service’

Haj pilgrims urged to report lost Nusuk cards swiftly MECCA: Prospective Malaysian haj pilgrims for the 1446H/2025M season have been urged to notify Lembaga Tabung Haji staff in the event of a lost Nusuk card to enable swift action. Malaysian Haj Delegation head Mohd Hisham Harun said Lembaga Tabung Haji would provide temporary identification cards and copies of haj visas as a support measure to ease the movement and worship of affected pilgrims in the Holy Land. “Temporary identification will be provided for pilgrims to use when going to the mosque or leaving their hotel or accommodation area.” He stressed that only pilgrims with valid haj visas are permitted to enter Mecca and the Masjidil Haram, with inspections to be conducted by Saudi authorities at designated checkpoints. “Pilgrims are reminded to always carry the Nusuk card with them, especially when leaving the accommodation area or heading to the Masjidil Haram to avoid any inconvenience. Mohd Hisham said Malaysia made history by becoming the first country to successfully distribute Nusuk cards to its pilgrims as early as at the KL International Airport, thanks to a collaboration between Lembaga Tabung Haji, the Saudi Arabian Haj and Umrah Ministry, and operating company Mashariq Holdings. He said the initiative enables Malaysian pilgrims to begin their haj journey in a more organised and seamless manner. “For pilgrims who have not yet received their Nusuk cards, there is no need to worry as the cards will be distributed in Mecca once the printing process is completed. Lembaga Tabung Haji and Mashariq are identifying the pilgrims who have yet to receive them.” He reminded Malaysian pilgrims to comply with regulations and instructions set by the Saudi Arabian government for the smooth running of the entire haj operation this season. – Bernama Govt eyes regional rice sources PARIT BUNTAR: The government has not ruled out the possibility of increasing rice imports from several regional countries following the ongoing conflict involving India and Pakistan. Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said the turmoil in both countries is expected to affect Malaysia’s rice import supply. “I hope and am confident that both sides do not want war. However, we will cooperate with countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia to ensure sufficient rice supply.” International news outlets reported that the conflict between India and Pakistan erupted following a bloody attack in Kashmir, India on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. In another development, Mohamad expressed confidence that there would be no panic buying of chicken eggs, citing sufficient supply through ongoing government initiatives, such as the Jualan Rahmah and Jualan Agro programmes. On predictions that egg prices may rise by up to three sen per egg following the full removal of government subsidies on Aug 1, he called them speculative. – Bernama

o Practice undermines efficient use of resources, creates negative views about federal integrity: Govt chief secretary

PUTRAJAYA: The practice of hasty end-of-year spending in the civil service, which often leads to a waste of resources, must be avoided, said Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. He said poor expenditure management not only undermines efficient use of resources but also risks creating negative perceptions about the government’s integrity and governance. He added that although the Auditor-General’s Report continues to raise issues on government financial management, misappropriation and wastage of public funds still occur. “If left unaddressed, this issue could become increasingly complex and, without firm solutions, it would affect the credibility and public perception of civil servants in general,” he said in his speech at the opening of the Management Accounting Seminar organised by the Accountant-General’s Department here yesterday. The text of his speech was read out by Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi.

“This initiative directly enhances the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of ministries in managing finances, risks, resources and performance by ensuring optimal resource utilisation,” he added. He urged ministry secretaries-general, who also serve as controlling officers, to ensure the effective implementation of management accounting and SMARt to improve transparency and accountability in financial decisions. “Civil servants must proactively acquire increasingly complex technical competencies in finance and accounting while also equipping themselves with non-financial intelligence to improve the effectiveness of management accounting practices in the public sector. “The adoption of technologies based on big data analytics, artificial intelligence and smart automation could assist government agencies in collecting, analysing and interpreting financial information in real time,” he said. The government’s implementation of the Medicine Price Display Order has been hailed as a crucial step towards increasing transparency and strengthening consumer rights, enabling Malaysians to make more informed decisions on medications based on their financial means. Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) president Prof Amrahi Buang said the policy reflects the government’s commitment to public wellbeing by promoting greater transparency within the national healthcare system. “MPS views this policy as part of the government’s initiative to educate and empower consumers, particularly regarding their right to know medicine prices and choose where to obtain their medications, whether from clinics or pharmacies. “This is a positive step as it empowers consumers to make smarter, more affordable choices, which would ultimately benefit society as a whole. “This policy would help raise public awareness and improve health literacy related to medication pricing,” he told Bernama. He said the operations of community pharmacies are outlined under the Community Pharmacy Benchmarking Guidelines and the practice of price display has long been in place for many products listed under the new order. He added that while pharmacy chains may not face significant challenges, smaller independent community pharmacies may encounter some initial difficulties. “With clear briefings through engagement sessions and a comprehensive FAQ document, the implementation of this order could proceed smoothly.” – Bernama

scope in relation to public fund management. This effort also ensures audit recommendations are taken seriously and acted upon appropriately by all parties, including ministries, departments, agencies and any entities or companies receiving public funds. Shamsul Azri said the Accountant-General’s Department, as the lead agency for management accounting across ministries, has introduced the Treasury Circular PS 1.3 Implementation of Management Accounting. He said the circular outlines the policy and implementation of management accounting via the introduction of Strategic Management Accounting and Reporting (SMARt), Bernama reported.

The gathering was organised by the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) private general medical practitioners section. MMA said it is not against price transparency for medicines but its implementation under a non-health related law. On Sunday, MMA issued a statement explaining that its memorandum aims to highlight the concerns and challenges faced by private clinics in response to the government’s recent decision. It argued that applying the Act to the medical profession is inappropriate as the Act is not Shamsul Azri stressed that civil servants must ensure transparency, integrity and accountability remain central to the principles of governance and ethics. He said the Madani government is focused on optimising public spending by reviewing expenditure policies and the allocation of limited resources to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and value for money. “Continuing to implement policies geared towards targeted subsidies allows the government to reduce wastage and leakage while creating fiscal space to improve assistance for vulnerable groups,” he said. He added that the government has taken a positive step forward by amending the Audit Act 1957, which would enhance audit

Doctors oppose use of non-health related law on sector PETALING JAYA: Hundreds of doctors from across the country gathered yesterday to submit a memorandum to the Prime private general practitioners and representatives of several NGOs related to medical practitioners. designed for healthcare, warning that doing so could negatively affect the delivery of primary healthcare services.

Previously, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali announced that mandatory price labelling would take effect on May 1. In a joint statement, they said the move aims to ensure the public can make informed choices by knowing, comparing and selecting the best prices when managing their medication expenses. “It will be enforced under the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering (Price Marking for Medicines) Order 2025, pursuant to the Act.“

Minister’s Office (PMO) to show their opposition to the enforcement of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 on the medical sector, which requires the display of medicine prices at private healthcare premises. It was reported that the doctors gathered at 9am at Laman Perdana near the Perdana Putra Building and were holding placards that read “We will not be silenced”, “Healthcare workers are undervalued” and “Unfair fees and policies keep current and future doctors away”. The group comprised doctors,

MMA argued that applying the Act to the medical profession could negatively affect the delivery of primary healthcare services. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN