07/07/2025

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MONDAY | JULY 7, 2025

Poser over presence of more technocrats in Cabinet

Umno to take legal action over defamation of leaders KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will take firm action, including filing lawsuits, against individuals who spread slander or tarnish the reputation of its leaders. Its secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the move aligns with the establishment of a Legal Secretariat at the Umno headquarters, which is tasked with monitoring and addressing defamatory content involving the party and its leadership. “Umno has not traditionally resorted to lawsuits or legal notices, but given the rampant misuse of social media to attack our leaders, it is time for the party to respond more assertively,” he said after officiating the Bukit Bintang Umno division delegates meeting yesterday. Asyraf Wajdi added that other political parties have long used legal channels to counter false allegations and negative perceptions and Umno will now adopt a similar strategy to hold irresponsible individuals accountable. In a related development, he said Umno has agreed to establish an outstation voters department as a strategic initiative to engage with voters who reside outside their home constituencies, particularly in the run-up to the next general election. Nearly 40% of voters in certain parliamentary constituencies, he said are based in areas such as the Klang Valley and Selangor. “At the recent supreme council meeting, we approved a proposal from the Bukit Bintang division to form this department. It will allow us to conduct targeted programmes and provide continuous support to voters in constituencies that Umno and Barisan Nasional aim to win,” he said. – Bernama Selangor lawmakers to be briefed on Putra Heights blast KLANG: A special briefing for all members of Parliament and state assemblymen in Selangor regarding the recent gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights will be held after the conclusion of the first day of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting today. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the session will be conducted by the technical investigation committee, comprising representatives from the police and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health. “The objective is to ensure that all elected representatives clearly understand the facts of the incident and do not form assumptions,” he told reporters after launching the Plastic-Free Campaign 2025 Series 2 yesterday. “The briefing will be held after tomorrow’s sitting as most of the issues involved are technical. Once briefed, the matter can be brought up and debated in the state assembly,” he added. Also present was state Public Health and Environment Committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin. The Second Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Selangor State Legislative Assembly will be held from July 7 to 18. On June 30, the Selangor police chief, in a special press conference regarding the Putra Heights incident, stated that no elements of sabotage, foul play or negligence were found in connection with the underground Petronas gas pipeline explosion in Subang Jaya on April 1. Following the findings, the state government formed a special committee to review the full investigation report and propose appropriate follow-up actions. The committee will also consult various stakeholders, including federal agencies, particularly in areas related to disaster management and public communication surrounding the incident. – Bernama

PETALING JAYA: As Malaysia grapples with ongoing governance and policy hurdles, public interest is mounting over whether bringing more technocrats into the Cabinet could enhance decision-making and restore trust. The recent appointment of Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan as Second Finance Minister has added momentum to the debate, with many lauding his corporate track record for injecting competence and credibility into government. Political analysts say the shift reflects a growing demand for result-oriented leadership, especially in technical ministries where expertise may outweigh political savvy. They also say that while a technocrat-led Cabinet is not out of the question, Malaysia’s political culture, legal constraints and patronage networks would dictate how far the model can be pushed. The matter has become more pressing with the current vacancies in two key ministries – Economy and Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability – following the resignations of Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. Amir Hamzah has since been appointed as acting Economy minister to temporarily fill the gap. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said technocrats and professionals often outperform traditional politicians, who tend to rely more on public appeal than subject-matter expertise. “They have strong backgrounds in key areas like finance, economics, science and technology, making them better suited for portfolios such as finance, economy, energy transition, health and science and innovation.” However, Mazlan acknowledged that such appointments could ruffle feathers among seasoned politicians who may feel sidelined. As a potential compromise, he proposed limiting technocratic roles to no more than and professionalism as expertise crucial in portfolios such as finance, trade and energy Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com o Analysts propose hybrid model balancing politics

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legitimacy and public accountability. “The key is to appoint senators with minimal political affiliations. Otherwise, it undermines the credibility technocrats are meant to bring.” International Islamic University Malaysia associate professor Dr Syaza Shukri, also a fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, said while public hunger for professional leadership is rising, especially among urban and middle-class voters, political realities remain deeply entrenched. “Even if Malaysians want more technocrats, decisions are still shaped by patronage. It’s not about picking the most competent person, but someone close to the power structure. “Would a technocrat be truly free to make decisions without political interference?” Syaza added that while professionals can offer crucial technical input, they still require the support of politicians who hold electoral legitimacy and public trust. “Politicians often prioritise what will get them re-elected, while technocrats may push for long-term policies that aren’t popular in the short term.” She also said younger voters, often seen as more progressive, don’t necessarily back technocratic leadership across the board. “Some youths still prefer a politician they can identify with over a technocrat they barely know. “Identity politics and party loyalty still play a big role in shaping voter preferences.”

three core ministries, each supported by a deputy minister from a political party. “The technocrats must be genuinely qualified, influential and have proven credentials. “It’s possible, but it has to be a hybrid, blending professionals with politicians. “The prime minister can then strike a balance between political stability and capable governance.” Nusantara Academy of Strategic Research senior fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan shares a similar view, noting that Malaysia’s democratic structure limits on appointing ministers from outside the political sphere. “The issue is that very few members of parliament are actually experts in their field. The talent pool is limited. “Technocrats like Amir Hamzah or even Abdul Wahid Omar delivered results because they weren’t bogged down by political entanglements. “But expanding their numbers is tricky since they first have to be appointed as senators, and those slots are few and far between.” Azmi said for key ministries such as finance, international trade and industry, defence and education, technical expertise should take precedence over political affiliation, allowing ministers to work with minimal interference. He noted that bringing technocrats into a predominantly political system comes with challenges, particularly around political

M’sia to showcase strengths at World Tourism Day event MALACCA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said hosting the upcoming World Tourism Day 2025 in Malaysia is not just timely but visionary, offering the country a global platform to showcase what truly sets it apart. He said this in his speech at the pre-launch of World Tourism Day 2025, World Tourism Conference 2025 and the 17th Anniversary of Malacca’s recognition as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage City in Banda Hilir on Saturday. tourism recovery and positioning the country as a welcoming, innovative and future-ready hub. “During my recent visit to London, I engaged directly with trade leaders, media and airline partners, focused on building momentum towards Visit Malaysia 2026.

He was referring to World Tourism Day 2025 and World Tourism Conference 2025, both scheduled to be held in Malacca in September. “Let World Tourism Day in Malacca be the moment we inspire the world, showing that Malaysia is ready to lead, ready to welcome and ready to shape the future of values-driven, meaningful travel,” he said, adding that last year alone, Malacca welcomed 15 million visitors, generating RM12.68 billion in tourism revenue, a significant milestone under the Visit Malacca Year 2024 campaign.

“Together, we launched a movement to grow arrivals from the United Kingdom from 390,000 to 500,000. Last year alone, those travellers contributed over RM2.5 billion, and with the right push, I’m confident we can go beyond RM3.3 billion,” he said, adding that Malaysia is ranked as the world’s fifth most Muslim-friendly destination and has consistently remained among the top countries in the Global Islamic Economy Indicator for the past 10 years. – Bernama

The text of his speech was read out by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. Ahmad Zahid also said Visit Malaysia 2026 will set a national direction, where tourism is no longer a backdrop, but a bold driver of sustainability, inclusivity and future readiness. To succeed, he stressed that Malaysia must move strategically and collaboratively, strengthening public-private partnerships, fostering a more inclusive and resilient

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