18/06/2025

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 18, 2025

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Taskforce to rein in healthcare inflation established

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has unveiled a high-level task force to rein in soaring healthcare costs, warning that medical inflation is fast turning private healthcare into a luxury for many Malaysians. Speaking at the Sasana Symposium 2025 yesterday, he said the rising cost of treatment is no longer just an economic issue but also a threat to national well-being. “For many Malaysians, private healthcare is becoming increasingly unaffordable due to rising medical costs.” He said the new committee, comprising the Finance Ministry, Health Ministry and Bank Negara Malaysia, would be tasked with ensuring that quality healthcare remains accessible and affordable to all. Anwar called for a fundamental shift towards a value-based private healthcare system that prioritises outcomes, transparency and equity. “We are not talking about minor adjustments or small paradigm shifts. Our aim is to make healthcare a core pillar of national resilience.” He said among the proposed reforms are clearer pricing structures, stronger digital healthcare capabilities and wider access to affordable solutions such as universal medical insurance products. Anwar said these efforts form part of a broader structural reform agenda grounded in compassion, sound policy and the needs of the people. He added that he would personally oversee the implementation of these healthcare reforms. Earlier, when opening the 19th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians at the World Trade Centre yesterday, Anwar said Malaysia must urgently revive a culture of deep reading and critical thinking, or risk the collapse of public discourse, democracy and social cohesion. He said libraries must lead this revival by nurturing curiosity and knowledge-sharing, especially among the younger generation. comprehensive tax reform to secure long-term fiscal sustainability and social equity. He said the current blanket subsidy model is unsustainable as it disproportionately benefits the wealthy and foreigners rather than poor Malaysians it is meant to support. “Subsidies for the poor and needy are not wrong. They are essential, but our system also benefits the rich and even foreigners who don’t pay taxes here. That burdens the country. “The fiscal reforms we’ve introduced may not be popular but they are necessary,” he said at the Sasana Symposium 2025 held at Sasana Kijang, Bank Negara Malaysia yesterday. Addressing concerns over fuel subsidies, particularly for RON95, Anwar said rationalisation is crucial to ensure fairness and safeguard the nation’s finances. He accused opposition parties of spreading misinformation online,

o Rising cost of treatment no longer just an economic issue but also a threat to national well-being, says Anwar. Also present were National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang, his deputy K. Saraswathy and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. Citing great civilisations, from Alexandria and Baghdad to the libraries of the West, Anwar said societies are remembered not for their military power but for their reverence for knowledge. Anwar voiced concern over the erosion of critical thought, made worse by the influence of social media. “People now read two sentences and immediately form conclusions. The habit of seeking truth through study and contemplation has diminished,” he said, referencing Allan Bloom’s The Closing of the American Mind . He said librarians must evolve beyond preservation to become active purveyors of knowledge. He called on libraries to modernise not just in infrastructure but also in spirit. “Yes, we must respond to AI, digitalisation and new learning platforms. But we must also reignite the habit of reading, reflecting and engaging in meaningful dialogue.” He cautioned that without a strong knowledge culture, public

Anwar viewing an exhibit after opening the 19th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians General Conference and Meeting at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

disinformation and mistrust take root.” He encouraged Asean nations to celebrate their intellectual heritage rather than rely on Western traditions.

discourse in politics, media and diplomacy would continue to deteriorate. “Without a strong foundation in knowledge, populism,

Anwar said while silence in libraries still has its place, the future library must also welcome conversation, curiosity and engagement.

Reforms in economic framework vital: PM KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has renewed calls for structural reforms in Malaysia’s economic framework, stressing the urgent need for targeted subsidy rationalisation and which has contributed to public confusion and resistance to reform. “Subsidy rationalisation must happen. The Opposition has created a negative narrative online. But it’s our responsibility to communicate the rationale clearly, so that people understand and support the need for change.” bank, must play an active role in advancing reform efforts and promoting public understanding. “The role of Bank Negara and financial institutions isn’t just to support reform but to help society understand these changes.”

‘Federal, state govts need to harmonise human rights laws’

PUTRAJAYA: The federal and state governments need to harmonise human rights laws to ensure the welfare of the people, particularly on issues concerning family, marriage and children’s rights, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. He highlighted the legal dilemmas arising from Malaysia’s dual legal system, where British based laws coexist with Islamic laws focused on family matters. “Our dilemma in Malaysia stems from the country’s historical legal framework because many of our practices are rooted in British laws, alongside the introduction of Islamic laws that emphasise family. “This has caused conflicts between the laws themselves. So this is what we have to resolve prudently, otherwise it will cause political polemics due to the background of the people (who are multi-racial),” he said at the closing ceremony of the “ Muzakarah on human rights issues from the Maqasid Syariah perspective” here yesterday.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus. Fadillah stressed that legal administrative coordination is crucial to address issues such as unregistered marriages conducted abroad, which affect the status and rights of children born from such unions, Bernama reported. “If a marriage is not registered in Malaysia, it creates administrative problems. The child cannot be recognised as legitimate and cannot be registered with the National Registration Department. “This not only affects the couple but also has serious implications for the child as they lose entitlements under national policies and laws.” He pointed out the need to resolve questions surrounding mixed marriages, especially regarding eligibility for Malay reserve land ownership and the status of children under state laws.

He underscored the importance of strengthening Malaysia’s workforce through investment in TVET, digital upskilling and labour market reforms to meet the country’s growing industrial and digital ambitions. Citing partnerships with global tech giants such as Nvidia, Infineon and AMD, Anwar said Malaysia must be ready to meet future industry demands with home-grown talent. He said institutional integrity must remain a core pillar of reform. Anwar also called for stronger anti corruption enforcement, greater transparency and accountability across ministries, agencies and the private sector. “As the Asean chair this year, Malaysia is committed to deepening regional integration while maintaining balanced ties with key global partners, including the United States, China and the European Union.” – By HARITH KAMAL

Anwar said subsidies must be targeted, not blanket, to ensure that aid reaches those who genuinely need them. He said public discourse is vital to ensure that reform policies are not only well designed but also effectively implemented and embraced by the wider public. On tax reform, he said Malaysia must broaden its revenue base to improve education and healthcare, and address emerging challenges such as digitalisation. “But nobody wants to pay, including the very rich. That’s the challenge.” He said tax reform is essential to expand fiscal capacity, strengthen enforcement and plug leakages while ensuring that the poor are not unfairly burdened. Anwar also said financial institutions, including the central