01/06/2025

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Malaysia’s key agenda as UN-Habitat president

RM8b in potential investments secured at expo OSAKA: Malaysia has successfully secured more than RM8 billion in potential investments and signed 20 MoUs at Expo 2025 Osaka, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation minister and chairman of Malaysia’s National Organising Committee for Expo 2025, said this achievement, involving 101 companies, represents 61.54% of the overall RM13 billion target that was previously set. “I am confident that with our coming initiatives over the next four months, we will not only surpass our target but also unlock new opportunities for Malaysians. The success of our participation will pave the way for job creation while further strengthening bilateral ties with Japan and other global partners.” He was speaking after officiating at the opening ceremony of the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan yesterday. Fadillah highlighted digital economy, green economy and Japanese technologies as key opportunities for Malaysia to explore. He said these opportunities would position Sarawak not only as a hub for energy, particularly green energy, leveraging its hydropower resources, but also as a central player in Malaysia’s Hydrogen Economy Roadmap and Energy Transition Roadmap. On the signing of the 20 MoUs, Fadillah said the Malaysian Pavilion has facilitated several high-impact MoUs covering a wide range of sectors, including renewable energy, digital, property services, biotechnology, caregiving innovation and infrastructure development. “The key focus areas include efforts to support decarbonisation, advance green hydrogen solutions, strengthen dementia care capabilities and promote smart facility systems and sustainable materials.” Fadillah said the longstanding relations and strong ties between Malaysia and Japan extend beyond economic relations, encompassing a shared commitment to regional stability and cultural understanding. “From early collaborations in industrial development to contemporary partnerships in technology and education, the connections between both nations are profound. – Bernama ‘Firm action against job scam syndicates’ PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia, as Asean chair, has pledged to take decisive action against transnational job scam syndicates, placing the issue at the forefront of its regional agenda, said the Foreign Ministry. The ministry said in a statement that it takes the issue of job scam syndicates seriously. It expressed its sincere appreciation to the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation, other NGOs and the media, for their continued efforts in drawing attention to the plight of Malaysians who have fallen victim to job scam syndicates across the region. “Malaysia remains fully committed to working closely with Asean counterparts and all relevant stakeholders, including civil society, to strengthen preventive measures, enhance regional collaboration, and ensure protection for all victims.” – Bernama

Nation honoured by trust bestowed on the country, to serve with fairness, transparency and unwavering determination, says minister

multilateralism and the UN-Habitat Agenda, both Malaysia and the UAE call upon member states to redouble efforts to implement the New Urban Agenda. “We too, look forward to playing an active role at the 13th session of the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan in May next year, where we hope to scale up the habitat agenda to further propel urban solutions.” Nga said earlier this year, an expedition was conducted with MPs to inspect several dilapidated buildings firsthand in the Klang Valley. “With rapidly growing urban populations, aging infrastructure and increasing land scarcity, Malaysia faces an urgent need to rejuvenate old, dilapidated, or underutilised properties in its cities. “We must avoid ‘the tale of two cities’, where one part flourishes while the other languishes in poverty. “What we witnessed was deeply concerning. Some housing areas were in an alarming condition with mould infestations, damaged rooftops, broken lifts and other serious structural issues.” Nga said guided by the National Housing Policy 2018–2025, Malaysia has built a comprehensive and inclusive housing ecosystem that promotes affordable home ownership. “As of March, Malaysia has completed 179,769 affordable housing units, with 235,862 currently under construction and 76,729 in the planning pipeline, accounting for up to 98.4% of our target of 500,000 units.”

Ű BY ANDREW SAGAYAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com

the presidency of the UN-Habitat Assembly on behalf of the Asia Pacific group. “During my term as president of the Assembly, let us strengthen UN-Habitat as a platform for thinking and doing. Let us ensure that the voices of local governments, women, youth, civil society and vulnerable communities are taken into consideration when we develop policies and design action plans. “We take on this role as the president together with our esteemed colleagues from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This shared commitment symbolises regional solidarity and our commitment to urban sustainability. “Together, we will ensure that this Assembly bridges global ambitions with local realities. “We are also pleased to offer to host a joint bureau meeting in Penang, Malaysia on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Conference of Housing and Urban Development ministers in October. “This will provide an opportunity for joint bureaus to assess the impact of the Assembly and align their support with the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2026-2029.” Nga said to strengthen

PETALING JAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry believes, in line with the Malaysia Madani concept, that housing is a basic human right, and livable cities must serve all segments of society, especially the most vulnerable. Its minister Nga Kor Ming expects to put to good use Malaysia’s experience during the country’s United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat) presidency. Following the appointment of Malaysia in Nairobi, Kenya on Friday as president of the UN-Habitat Assembly for the term starting in June 2025, Nga said in a statement issued by the ministry to theSun that affordable housing would be one of the key agendas at UN-Habitat. He said urban renewal is another key pillar of Malaysia’s development strategy that he would highlight. At a handing over ceremony of the presidency, Nga said Malaysia is honoured by the trust bestowed on the country, and pledges to serve with fairness, transparency and unwavering determination. “It is with deep humility and profound responsibility that I accept The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue here on Friday. “The meeting served as a platform for Asean countries to exchange views on regional security challenges, especially in the Indo-Pacific, and to explore opportuni ties to strengthen defence cooperation with the United States,” said Mohamed Khaled in a post on his Facebook page. He also shared, during his meeting with Hegseth, Malaysia’s perspective as the current Asean chair, highlighting two major regional issues – the Myanmar crisis and the South China Sea situation. “Solutions to these two critical issues must be led and driven by Asean through an Asean-led and Asean-driven frame work.” Mohamed Khaled also stressed the importance of all parties upholding Asean’s core values and principles to ensure the continued security, sover eignty and stability of the region. According to a statement by the Singapore Defence Ministry, Hegseth highlighted common security challenges

Asean-US meeting boosts regional defence cooperation SINGAPORE: The multilateral meeting held on Friday between defence ministers of Asean and Timor-Leste and United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth is expected to further strengthen regional defence cooperation, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Hegseth meeting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue on Friday. – PIC COURTESY OF PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

region and enhance defence cooperation with Asean countries, including through the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus. Hegseth also raised cybersecurity as a key emerging domain for Asean-US cooperation. – Bernama

and reaffirmed the US’ strong commit ment to the region. He said the US believes in practical cooperation and strong partnerships underpinned by shared values. He added that the US would continue its engagement with the Southeast Asian