07/06/2025

SATURDAY | JUNE 7, 2025

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‘Food insecurity akin to violation of human rights’

Safer schools under disaster risk policy

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the resilience of its education system against disasters with the launch of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy 2030, in line with the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi conveyed the message during a ministerial roundtable themed “Safe Schools” at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday. “This policy focuses on comprehensive risk reduction across all sectors, including the safety and continuity of education,” he said. One of the key initiatives highlighted was the development of the Disaster Risk Reduction Education Module by the Education Ministry, Unicef Malaysia and the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), which will benefit about 7,800 primary schools nationwide. To ensure effective implementation, Malaysia is also exploring strategic partnerships with non-governmental organisations, private companies and government linked companies. At the same time, Nadma’s Community-Based Disaster Risk Management programme has reached about 44,000 Malaysians, including more than 12,000 youths, over the past year. – Bernama Job contracts must be stamped from 2026: IRB PUTRAJAYA: The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) has announced that all employment contracts between employers and employees must be stamped starting Jan 1, 2026. This directive aligns with the phased implementation of the Stamp Duty Self-Assessment System as outlined in Budget 2025. In a statement issued yesterday, IRB stated that it had commenced comprehensive stamp duty audit activities nationwide in January, following the release of the Stamp Duty Audit Framework. “Through these audit activities and compliance operations, one of the key findings has been that many employment contract documents between employers and employees have not been stamped as required under Item 4, First Schedule of the Stamp Act 1949, where the stamp duty is set at RM10,” the board said. To ease the burden on employers, the Finance Ministry has agreed to exempt employment contracts executed before Jan 1 from stamp duty obligations. This exemption is granted under the powers of the Finance Minister as provided by subsection 80(1A) of the Stamp Act 1949, while the authority to remit penalties for late stamping is provided to the Collector of Stamp Duty under subsection 47A(2) of the same Act. From Jan 1, 2026, all employment contracts will be subject to stamp duty, with penalties imposed for any delays in stamping. – Bernama

o Commission calls for urgent policy reform to address struggle of poor and marginalised individuals in accessing nutritious meals

PETALING some Malaysians, particularly the poor, neglected elderly and marginalised communities, food remains a daily uncertainty, not a guarantee. According to Human Rights Commission commissioner Ragunath Kesavan, this constitutes a violation of basic human rights. “Access to safe and nutritious food is internationally recognised as a fundamental human right,” he said in conjunction with World Food Safety Day today. Ragunath highlighted Article 25.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both of which Malaysia has ratified, as clear affirmations that food security must be protected as a right, not treated as a privilege. Yet, food insecurity continues to impact low-income and marginalised communities, especially the B40 group and neglected elderly individuals. “Food safety is deeply linked to a person’s earning power. Those who are poor are most affected. Even though we have decent food safety regulations, they don’t always protect the vulnerable,” he told theSun . Although the commission has not received formal complaints related to unsafe or inaccessible food, Ragunath attributed this to a widespread lack of public awareness that food access is a rights-based issue. “People don’t see food safety as a human rights concern.” Ű BY DEEPALAKSHMI MANICKAM newsdesk@thesundaily.com JAYA: For PETALING JAYA: Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin has dismissed the notion that popularity and integrity must be mutually exclusive in politics. In a candid discussion on The Game of the Impossible podcast, hosted by former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Idris Jala and his son Leon Jala, Khairy argued that real leadership lies in balancing public support with tough, sometimes unpopular, reforms. “Politics is being able to disappoint people at a rate they can accept,” he said, quoting a principle from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. “You can’t please everyone. If you try, the country goes bankrupt.” He described political leadership as the ability to bring people along even when the journey involves painful reforms. “Otherwise, you’re no good to anyone.”

Despite this, the commission has taken proactive steps through seminars, stakeholder engagement and advocacy efforts, urging the government to strengthen food security and revitalise the agriculture sector. Ragunath also criticised Malaysia’s heavy reliance on food imports, stating that the country has become less self-sufficient since its economic shift from agriculture to manufacturing in the 1980s. “Even basic staples such as rice are now heavily imported. This makes us vulnerable to global supply shocks and price hikes.” While Malaysia’s food regulations focus on technical safety standards, he noted they often overlook affordability and equitable access, especially for marginalised groups. To address this, he proposed shifting from cash-based aid to food vouchers or coupons, which could help ensure consistent access to essential nutrition. “There should be a minimum national standard for what a proper meal looks like. The current support systems are ad hoc. We need a more comprehensive food safety and support strategy.” He also urged the government to integrate food access into education, public health and poverty eradication policies. “Nutritious food doesn’t have to be expensive. We have local vegetables, grains and fibre. We must promote education in schools and encourage healthy eating habits.” Asked whether the right to food should be legally enshrined, Asked to evaluate the Madani government’s reform agenda, Khairy did not hold back. He criticised Malaysia’s small tax base and called the current Sales and Services Tax inefficient. He reaffirmed his support for reintroducing the Goods and Services Tax, which was implemented during his tenure in government. He also warned about the growing cost of public sector pensions, predicting that without reform, the fiscal burden could surpass RM30 billion in the next decade. Having served in several Cabinet roles, including in sports, health and science portfolios, Khairy said he sees himself not just as a politician but as a policy-focused leader. He criticised the rushed nature of ministerial appointments, saying new ministers are often ill-prepared to lead from day one. “The moment a minister is appointed, the media asks: ‘What are

Ragunath emphasised that food policies must be inclusive and non-discriminatory, benefitting all individuals in need, regardless of race, religion or citizenship status. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

issue must be given greater weight in national planning. “Agriculture must be given renewed importance. We should aim for greater self-sufficiency. There should be a stronger policy focus on food justice and safety for all.” He emphasised that food policies must be inclusive and non discriminatory, benefitting all individuals in need, regardless of race, religion or citizenship status. Ragunath also called on young Malaysians, the media and civil society to take a more active role in your priorities?’ But they haven’t even found the light switches in the ministry yet.” To address this, he proposed a formal onboarding period of two to three weeks to allow ministers to understand their portfolios, an approach he initiated independently through private briefings with global experts after becoming Health minister. Jokingly referring to himself as a “failed politician”, Khairy alluded to his current roles as podcaster and radio host following his ousting from Umno. Yet his frankness, depth of thought and continued focus on policy suggest his political journey may not be over. He remains committed to the belief that politics, when done right, is about organising society fairly. “The true north is service. But beyond that, politics is about how you organise society and manage finite resources in a way that works.”

advancing food justice, particularly in light of rising malnutrition and obesity across various segments of the population. “When we talk about obesity or Orang Asli communities suffering from malnutrition, we’re seeing symptoms of food insecurity. The solution isn’t just treating illness, but also ensuring access to food and nutrition for everyone.” In conjunction with World Food Safety Day, he highlighted the importance of public education and awareness. Reflecting on his upbringing, Khairy shared that his path into politics was shaped by both his academic pursuits and a childhood spent abroad, following his diplomat father. Born in Kuwait in 1976, he never attended school in Malaysia, instead growing up in global capitals, including Tokyo during the Cold War. “My father opened up the world to me not just by bringing me around, but through conversations. I was eight when I asked him about the Reagan Gorbachev summit. He explained nuclear proliferation, strategic issues and human rights. That stuck with me.” His mother Datin Seri Rahmah Abdul Hamid, a patron of charity organisation Pertiwi, reinforced his commitment to service through her volunteer work. These two influences, diplomacy and community, planted the seeds of a political career rooted in public service and systemic fairness. – by Deepalakshmi Manickam

Ragunath said while Malaysia acknowledges its importance, the Ex-minister backs unpopular reforms for long-term gain