04/08/2025

MONDAY | AUG 4, 2025

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13MP marks historic pivot towards ageing nation

Seamless interstate travel across Borneo

BY JOSEPH PETER newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUCHING: The multibillion-ringgit financing to complete the Sarawak-Sabah Highway – which will bypass Brunei – and to build the trans-Borneo Sarawak-Kalimantan-Nusantara superhighway is expected to transform the socio-economic landscape of Borneo over the next five years. The Sarawak Business Federation, an umbrella body representing hundreds of trade entities, has lauded the federal government for prioritising the vital land links, as announced by the prime minister during the 13MP tabling. Federation secretary-general Datuk Jonathan Chai said the 13MP carries immense significance for Sarawak. “The plan looks set to transform the Sarawak-Sabah and Sarawak-Kalimantan to Nusantara (new Indonesian capital) landscape in terms of land connectivity. “The Sarawak-Sabah direct highway will see the road link between the two states enhanced by leaps and bounds, as travellers will enjoy seamless interstate connectivity. “The upgrading of Sarawak to Kalimantan and onwards to Nusantara will see that region transformed into another massive socio economic hub for Borneo. “Cross-border trade and social relations will see huge surges,” he said in a statement. Chai added that the road links will also act as catalysts for other developments, such as electricity-supply integration across Borneo. The major road projects will be fast-tracked for completion within five years. Currently, commuters travelling by land from Miri, Sarawak to Sabah must pass through Brunei, encountering four immigration and customs checkpoints – each with both Malaysian and Bruneian posts. This means travellers have to stop and scan their passports eight times, often facing long queues and traffic jams at the borders. The proposed Sarawak-Sabah Highway will provide a direct Miri–Sabah link, bypassing Brunei entirely. Putrajaya will fund the highway through a RM7.4 billion package. Kemas to promote knowledge and develop community LAHAD DATU: The Community Development Department (Kemas) will take on expanded roles in promoting knowledge sharing, empowering communities and delivering services in a more inclusive and holistic way. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said as a wing within the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, Kemas has designed various transformative programmes for the people. “We provide encouragement, assistance, loans, including supervision, to create more entrepreneurs. We want to involve youth in entrepreneurship. “For example, at the beginning of the Kemas activity centre in Kampung Sapagaya, there was a sewing workshop. We helped women, mothers and youth through this workshop,“ he said in his speech at the Sentuhan Kasih Desa Madani @ Lahad Datu programme yesterday. Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development minister, said this year alone, the ministry has introduced 42 game changers to strengthen human capital, including reforms in the Kemas kindergarten education system. He said the ministry has also formulated a strategy to empower rural education through major initiatives, such as the pre- tahfiz kindergartens, tahfiz TVET and smart classroom@Kemas. – Bernama

o Plan prioritises long-term care, retirement reform and social protection as central pillars of inclusive development: Academic

BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The 13th Malaysia Plan is a watershed moment in the nation’s response to an ageing population, laying the groundwork for sweeping reforms in long-term care, retirement and social protection systems. The plan reflects an urgent recalibration of policy direction as the country braces to become an aged nation by 2043, according to Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Malaysian Research Institute on Ageing. Its director Assoc Prof Dr Rahimah Ibrahim described the 13MP as a “major step forward” in preparing for the demographic shift. “The plan is significant in terms of the government’s commitment to long-term care (LTC) and social protection reforms in preparation for aged nation status. “No change happens overnight, but these are bold steps in the right direction.” For the first time, a national development plan has explicitly prioritised long-term care as a strategic policy issue. “Under the plan, a dedicated entity will be established to coordinate a comprehensive care ecosystem that includes eldercare, childcare, disability care and faith-based residential institutions.” Rahimah said Malaysia’s long-term care sector is still in its infancy and is in urgent need of regulation, sustainable funding and professionalised staffing. “It is an emerging industry that needs structure. Right now we lack standardisation, adequate manpower and regulatory oversight.” She stressed that long-term care should not be conflated with clinical healthcare. While hospitals and clinics focus on medical treatment, LTC encompasses personal, social and functional support to help individuals maintain dignity and independence in their daily lives. Rahimah also welcomed the inclusion of the National Ageing Blueprint 2025–2045, calling it a “critical strategic document” that must be finalised, presented and made publicly accessible to guide implementation efforts. On the proposed review of the mandatory PETALING JAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke has reaffirmed the government’s pledge to shift the country’s freight and passenger movement from road to rail – a strategic move under the Road to Rail initiative outlined in the 13MP. In a video shared on his official Facebook page, Loke said the government is prioritising the development of rail infrastructure to reduce heavy reliance on lorries for cargo transport, particularly between industrial zones and ports. “When cargo volumes increase, lorry traffic also increases on the road, causing congestion and raising the risk of accidents. “The solution is to transport cargo via train directly from factories to ports.” Loke said the government will invest in both

The Madani government envisions a future in which senior adults remain active contributors in dynamic, multi-generational workspaces. – AI GENERATED PIC BY AZURA ABAS/THESUN

new railway lines and rolling stock, with over 200 new train sets to be procured under the 13MP, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. “The new trains will enhance services for both commuters and cargo operators.” Among the reforms is a new leasing model for acquiring trains – a mechanism designed to speed up procurement without requiring full upfront payment. “The model includes long-term maintenance in the package, which helps address long-standing issues involving spare parts and servicing delays. “In the past, when components failed, we had trouble replacing them. We’d end up cannibalising parts from other trains. With leasing, maintenance is assured.” retirement age, she voiced support but urged a phased and pragmatic rollout. “The government should start with expanding re-employment schemes, while gradually phasing in any extension of the retirement age across both public and private sectors. “While the retirement age was raised to 60 in 2012, labour force participation among those aged 55–59 did not increase significantly. “However, it did reverse the downward trend, which is encouraging.” She also commended the plan’s emphasis on older adults’ economic participation, particularly through flexible work arrangements and lifelong learning initiatives via Technical and Vocational Education and Training. However, Rahimah acknowledged that enticing younger Malaysians into the aged care sector remains a challenge. “Will youths be drawn to the care industry? Maybe yes – if there are clear wages, defined career pathways and if they find satisfaction in the work. “Like the childcare industry before it, aged care can evolve into a respected profession.”

Loke also outlined plans to strengthen the domestic rail manufacturing industry. The existing train assembly plant in Batu Gajah, Perak, will be developed into a national rail production hub. He said this would open new opportunities for local industry players and generate high-skilled employment. “Just like expanding a food stall into a restaurant, this is how we plan to grow the country’s transport capacity and economic competitiveness.” Loke also assured that existing public transport support programmes – including the My50 unlimited travel pass, free stage bus services and flight subsidies for students travelling between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia – will continue. – By HARITH KAMAL At present, she said Malaysia’s aged care landscape remains largely informal and under regulated. “Anyone can become an aged care worker. But without proper registration or certification, the workers are easily replaced. “The sector also suffers from high turnover and chronic manpower shortages.” Rahimah also expressed support for the proposed hybrid Employees Provident Fund payout model – combining lump sum withdrawals with monthly disbursements – as a step towards a stronger social safety net. While underlying inequalities in the pension system persist, she said the new model was “a bold step” towards enhancing income security for the ageing population. “There’s a lot to unpack in the 13MP. But what’s clear is that the government is no longer treating ageing merely as a demographic trend – it’s being seen as a transformative opportunity. “We urge all stakeholders to view the shift as a challenge to reimagine Malaysia as a more inclusive, caring and sustainable society for all ages.”

Bold rail initiative to reduce road congestion

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