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Malaysian Paper

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Malaysia among countries with gig worker legislation

‘Duties of civil servants service to people, not just obligation to govt’ KUCHING: Civil servants should view their duties as a service to the people, not merely obligations to the government, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg. He said integrity, knowledge and sincerity are essential to ensure that state government plans directly benefit the rakyat. “Our work is for the advancement of humanity. With knowledge, integrity and sincerity, our service brings not just monetary gains, but also blessings from God,”he said at the launch of Sarawak Integrity Day 2025 yesterday. Abang Johari added that the annual event, held for the last six years, has bolstered confidence in pursuing new initiatives, including infrastructure development, the digital economy, green energy and modern agriculture. He highlighted that Sarawak’s rich natural resources, including its rivers, water and gas, must be managed responsibly to benefit the people. “We use water not only for drinking but also to produce hydrogen, a clean energy that preserves the environment. These benefits will improve public facilities, health and quality of life,” he added. He also emphasised that economic growth must reach households, especially low-income groups. “Starting 2026, children of fishermen and farmers admitted to state universities will receive free education to help lift the living standards of their families.” – Bernama Electric vehicles for public cleaning tasks MALACCA: Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation (SWCorp) is set to modernise public cleaning through high-tech machinery in a major reform push starting next year. Its CEO Khalid Mohamed said the reforms, which include technology from developed nations such as China, will be introduced in phases under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to boost efficiency in the sector. As part of the initiative, SWM Environment Sdn Bhd workers in Malacca are piloting the use of electric three-wheeled motorcycles for cleaning tasks. “We are preparing a detailed proposal for discussion with the Public-Private Partnership Unit and the Finance Ministry, as this involves a major policy decision. “The reforms will bring significant long-term returns to public cleaning operations while enhancing the quality and efficiency of services provided,” he said after launching electric cleaning machinery and a “No Dust” operation in Banda Hilir on Thursday. Also present at the launch was SWM Environment corporate general manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin. Khalid said the electric vehicles, comprising three-wheeled motorcycles and a mini compactor, would help reduce air pollution, cut fuel costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. He added that under the 13MP, SWCorp also plans to expand solid waste collection and public cleaning services to rural areas, particularly villages across seven states under its supervision, including Malacca, Negeri Sembilan and Johor. “We are drawing up plans and discussing the methods with state governments and local authorities, while identifying the villages involved. “Previously, SWM Environment services focused mainly on urban areas, but the expansion would ensure more effective waste management and help reduce pollution, as many villagers still dispose waste on their own, often by burning it,” he said. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has become one of the first countries in the world to have special legislation for the gig economy sector, after the Gig Workers Bill 2025 was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, said Human Resources Minister Steven Sim. “We are the 16th country in the world to have such legislation, which means we are at the forefront in empowering this sector. “It will certainly give confidence to foreign investors because we respect labour practices with international standards,” he told a press conference at the Parliament building. He said as a step forward, the ministry would hold a series of tours throughout the country to meet stakeholders so that they would truly understand and comply with the legal framework in the Bill. Earlier, when wrapping up the debate on the Bill, Sim said the issue of wage and payment uncertainty among gig economy workers in the country would be addressed through the establishment of a Tripartite Consultative Council, Bernama reported. He also said the council would involve three main parties, namely representatives of gig workers, representatives of platform providers or employers and government representatives as a platform for joint discussions on wage rates. “In the council, it is not the government or the company that determines the rate or formula. The workers and employers would be sitting together on (one) platform.” Sim said the approach is important as gig workers do not have any legal channel to negotiate their payment rates or salaries directly. and boost confidence of foreign investors, says Human Resources minister o Recent passing of Bill expected to empower group Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the state’s participation is a strategic opportunity based on four main objectives, namely to showcase its economic and investment potential at the global level, attracting new investments and expanding the market for local entrepreneurs’ products in penetrating international markets, especially in East Asia. He said the mission also aimed to build a global network by establishing international cooperation through the exchange of ideas on sustainable city initiatives by other cities in the world, as well as promoting new economic zones such as the Malacca Straits Economic Zone, MCORP HiTech Park, German Technology Park and Elkay 2.0. “This world-class event will take place from April 13 to Oct 13, with an expected attendance of more than 28 million visitors from all over the world.“ The organisation of this expo, themed

Sim said the Bill would ensure gig workers are protected from arbitrary termination, suspension or deactivation by contracting entities such as platform providers. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

conventional the Employment Act 1955, in which gig workers are on a “contract for service” and not a “contract of service”. The Bill aims to protect the interests of the 1.2 million gig workers in the country and has four basic components involving the definition of gig workers, wage mechanism, payment rates and social security. workers under

He added that the Bill would ensure that gig workers are protected from arbitrary termination, suspension or deactivation by contracting entities such as platform providers. Regarding the status of gig workers, Sim said they remain freelancers and have the right to make job choices, adding that the situation is different from the status of

Malacca to represent Malaysia at World Expo in Japan MALACCA: Malacca has been selected by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry as the seventh state to represent Malaysia at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan from tomorrow until Sept 6. Designing the Future Society for Our Lives, also highlights three main sub-themes, namely “saving lives”, “empowering lives” and “connecting lives”, he told a press conference on Thursday. through the international market. Ab Rauf said the companies range from those offering frozen durian, preservative-free fruit ice cream, shrimp products, carbonated drinks, herbal-based products and OEM services as well as electrical, electronic and automotive service products.

He said Malacca will organise Expo Osaka 2025 – Malacca Week, which involves various programme components, including the launch of the expo week at the Malaysia Pavilion on Sept 2, the signing ceremony of five memoranda of understanding with the private sector, an exhibition of government agencies and Malacca entrepreneurs, as well as seminars, business talks and business matching sessions. Ab Rauf said during the Expo Osaka 2025 - Malacca Week, the state government is targeting a potential sales value and business collaboration of RM3 million and that target is seen as realistic based on the potential of the Japanese market, in line with the strength of the products offered by Malacca entrepreneurs. He said eight small and medium enterprises with high potential and competitiveness from Malacca were also enlisted for the expo as part of efforts to strengthen the domestic economy

“The state government, through the departments and agencies involved, also (adopted) several main focuses, including presenting methods for Jakim halal applications and introducing Malacca as a halal trading hub and halal consulting services. “The mission also aims to empower halal small and medium enterprises at the global market and promote state tourism in conjunction with Malacca’s selection as the host for World Tourism Day and the World Tourism Conference 2025.” The state government would also conduct a working visit to two major companies in Japan, namely Nipro Corporation in Shiga and Sysmex Corporation in Kobe, through a special investment mission to explore investment opportunities and technology collaboration in the medical and pharmaceutical sector. – Bernama